Stanleyite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Stanleyite
Sir Henry Morton Stanley, GCB, born John Rowlands
Formula:
(V4+O)(SO4) · 6H2O
Colour:
Light blue to greenish blue
Hardness:
1 - 1½
Specific Gravity:
1.95
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Sir Henry Morton Stanley (John Rowlands) (1841-1904), Welsh-American journalist who, on assignment from the New York Herald, found David Livingstone in Africa in 1871.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Stanleyite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3746
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3746:0
IMA Classification of Stanleyite
Classification of Stanleyite
7.DE.50
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations; unclassified
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations; unclassified
29.6.13.1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
25.8.6
25 : Sulphates
8 : Sulphates of Sb, V, Cr and U
25 : Sulphates
8 : Sulphates of Sb, V, Cr and U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Stl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Stanleyite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Light blue to greenish blue
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 - 1½ on Mohs scale
Density:
1.95 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.01 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Stanleyite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.505 nβ = 1.519 nγ = 1.533
2V:
Calculated: 88°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.028
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Low (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Y = blue; Z = very pale blue.
Comments:
Absorption: X = Y > Z.
Chemistry of Stanleyite
Mindat Formula:
(V4+O)(SO4) · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Stanleyite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.12 Å, b = 9.71 Å, c = 14.92 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.248 : 1 : 1.537
Unit Cell V:
1,755.86 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Minute plates
Comment:
May be orthorhombic, monoclinic or triclinic
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.20 Å | (100) |
| 4.98 Å | (90) |
| 4.69 Å | (80) |
| 4.41 Å | (60) |
| 3.81 Å | (60) |
| 3.73 Å | (60) |
| 3.09 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Stanleyite
General Appearance of Type Material:
1.5 mm fragments or efflorescences.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1922.11.6.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 160386.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 160386.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Vanadium ore
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Stanleyite
Other Language Names for Stanleyite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Stanleyite associated with Patrónite | VS4 |
| 2 photos of Stanleyite associated with Oldsite-(K) | K2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 2 photos of Stanleyite associated with 'Asphaltite' | |
| 1 photo of Stanleyite associated with Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 1 photo of Stanleyite associated with 'Bitumen' | |
| 1 photo of Stanleyite associated with Bobjonesite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Stanleyite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 1 photo of Stanleyite associated with Orthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Stanleyite associated with Anorthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Stanleyite associated with 'Petrified Wood' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DE. | Magnesioalterite | Mg2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2O |
| 7.DE. | Fabritzite | Zn9(SO4)2(OH)12Cl2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DE. | Cossaite | (Mg0.5,◻)Al6(SO4)6(HSO4)F6 · 36H2O |
| 7.DE. | Downsite | K2(MoO3)3(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 7.DE. | Liangjunite | K2(Mo2O5)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.DE.05 | Mangazeite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 7.DE.10 | 'UKI-1975-(SO:AlCu)' | (Cu, Al, SO4, H2O) |
| 7.DE.10 | Carbonatecyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.10 | Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.15 | Schwertmannite | Fe3+16(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O |
| 7.DE.20 | Tlalocite | Cu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl · 27H2O |
| 7.DE.25 | Utahite | MgCu4Zn2Te6+3O14(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 7.DE.35 | Coquandite | Sb6+xO8+x(SO4)(OH)x(H2O)1- x (x = 0.3) |
| 7.DE.40 | Osakaite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 5H2O |
| 7.DE.42 | Alterite | Zn2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2O |
| 7.DE.45 | Barrotite | Cu9Al(HSiO4)2[(SO4)(HAsO4)0.5](OH)12 · 8H2O |
| 7.DE.45 | Wilcoxite | MgAl(SO4)2F · 17H2O |
| 7.DE.47 | Tiberiobardiite | {Cu9Al[SiO3(OH)]2(OH)12(H2O)6}(SO4)1.5 · 10H2O |
| 7.DE.50 | Bouškaite | (MoO2)2O(SO3OH)2(H2O)4 |
| 7.DE.57 | 'Khangalasite' | Fe(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.60 | Hydrobasaluminite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 12-36H2O |
| 7.DE.62 | Volaschioite | Fe4(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.65 | Zaherite | Al12(SO4)5(OH)26 · 20H2O |
| 7.DE.75 | Camérolaite | Cu6Al3(OH)18(H2O)2[Sb(OH)6](SO4) |
Other Information
Notes:
Easily soluble in water.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Stanleyite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3746.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Stanleyite
Localities for Stanleyite
Showing 7 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Peru (TL) | |
| Livingstone (1982) |
Russia | |
| Bortnikova et al. (2008) |
| Bortnikova et al. (2017) |
Spain | |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
USA | |
| EDS analyzed by Joy Desor. +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| SEM-EDS and XRD analyzed by Dr. Travis ... |
Quick NavTopAbout StanleyiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Ragra Mine, Huayllay District, Pasco Province, Pasco, Peru