Cervantite

Antimony oxide mineral
(repeating unit)Sb3+Sb5+O4IMA symbolCvn[1]Strunz classification4.DE.30Crystal systemOrthorhombicCrystal classPyramidal (mm2)
(same H-M symbol)Space groupPbn21Unit cella = 5.43 Å, b = 4.81 Å,
c = 11.76 Å; Z = 4IdentificationColorYellow to nearly whiteCrystal habitMicroscopic acicular crystals; massiveCleavageExcellent on {001}, distinct on {100}FractureConchoidalMohs scale hardness4–5LusterGreasy, pearly, earthyStreakPale yellow to whiteDiaphaneitySemitransparentSpecific gravity6.5Optical propertiesBiaxialRefractive indexnα = 2.000 nγ = 2.100Birefringenceδ = 0.100Dispersionrelatively weakReferences[2][3][4][5]

Cervantite is an antimony oxide mineral with formula Sb3+Sb5+O4 (antimony tetroxide).

It was first described in 1850 for an occurrence in Cervantes, Galicia, Spain, and named for the locality.[4] The mineral was questioned and disapproved, but re-approved and verified in 1962 based on material from the Zajaca-Stolice district, Brasina, Serbia.[3] It occurs as a secondary alteration product of antimony bearing minerals, mainly stibnite.[3]

Cervantite and valentinite replacing stibnite from the Xikuangshan Mine of Hunan Province, China (size: 16.1 × 5.0 × 3.0 cm)

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ a b c Handbook of Mineralogy
  4. ^ a b Mindat.org
  5. ^ Webmineral data
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