Piypite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Piypite
Boris I. Piyp
Formula:
K4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl
Also described as "caratiite", with the formula K4Cu4O2(SO4)4.MeCl, where Me is Cu and/or Na.
Colour:
Emerald green, dark green, black
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
3.09 - 3.11
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in honour of Boris Ivanovich Piyp (Борис Иванович Пийп) (24 October (6 November) 1906, Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire – 10 March 1966, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, USSR), Russian vulcanologist, Director of the Far Eastern Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskii, Russia.
Originally described as caratiite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3225
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3225:0
IMA Classification of Piypite
Approved
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1984
Classification of Piypite
7.BC.40
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
30.2.7.1
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
25.2.13
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Piy | 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 Piypite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Emerald green, dark green, black
Streak:
Yellowish green
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect cleavage parallel to elongation faces
Perfect cleavage parallel to elongation faces
Density:
3.09 - 3.11 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.0 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Piypite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.583 - 1.598 nε = 1.695 - 1.711
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.112 - 0.113
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
O = pale green, yellowish green; E = deep green, pale yellowish green
Chemistry of Piypite
Mindat Formula:
K4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl
Also described as "caratiite", with the formula K4Cu4O2(SO4)4.MeCl, where Me is Cu and/or Na.
Also described as "caratiite", with the formula K4Cu4O2(SO4)4.MeCl, where Me is Cu and/or Na.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Piypite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
I4
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.63(3) Å, c = 4.96(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.364
Unit Cell V:
921.45 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Assumed found in crystal structure analysis.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014478 | Piypite | Effenberger H, Zemann J (1984) The crystal structure of caratiite Mineralogical Magazine 48 541-546 |  | 1984 | Mount Vesuvius, Naples, Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0014554 | Piypite | Kahlenberg V, Piotrowski A, Giester G (2000) Crystal structure of Na4[Cu4O2(SO4)4]*MeCl (Me: Na, Cu, vac) - the synthetic Na-analogue of piypite (caratiite) Locality; synthetic Mineralogical Magazine 64 1099-1108 | | 2000 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.63 Å | (100) |
| 3.039 Å | (70) |
| 6.79 Å | (40) |
| 3.006 Å | (30) |
| 4.305 Å | (20) |
| 2.666 Å | (20) |
| 1.924 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] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Piypite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Moss-like aggregates of imperfect long columnar or acicular crystals up to 3-cm long and 1-mm across, often empty inside.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1331/1.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumarole at 500 C.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Piypite
Other Language Names for Piypite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Piypite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 2 photos of Piypite associated with Arcanite | K2SO4 |
| 2 photos of Piypite associated with Langbeinite | K2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Piypite associated with Pseudolyonsite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Piypite associated with Cupromolybdite | Cu3O(MoO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Piypite associated with Lyonsite | Cu3Fe4(VO4)6 |
| 1 photo of Piypite associated with Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.BC. | Viskontite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(SeO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC. | Zincochenite | Pb4Zn(OH)6(SO4)2 |
| 7.BC. | D'Ansite-(Mn) | Na21Mn2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC. | D'Ansite-(Fe) | Na21Fe2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC. | Acmonidesite | (NH4,K,Pb)8NaFe2+4(SO4)5Cl8 |
| 7.BC. | Adranosite | (NH4)4NaAl2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2 |
| 7.BC. | Chromviskontite | Pb5Cu2(CrO4)3(SeO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC. | Backite | Pb2AlTeO6Cl |
| 7.BC. | Adranosite-(Fe) | (NH4)4NaFe3+2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2 |
| 7.BC. | Agaite | Pb3CuTeO5(OH)2(CO3) |
| 7.BC. | Wildcatite | CaFe3+Te6+O5(OH) |
| 7.BC. | Hagstromite | Pb8Cu2+(Te6+O6)2(CO3)Cl4 |
| 7.BC.05 | D'Ansite | Na21Mg(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC.07 | Apatelite | Fe3(SO4)2(OH)5 · 0.5H2O |
| 7.BC.07 | Unnamed (Ba-Fe Vanadate) | Ba, Fe, V, O, H |
| 7.BC.10 | Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Dorallcharite | TlFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Argentojarosite | AgFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natroalunite | NaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Beaverite-(Cu) | Pb(Fe3+2Cu)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Beaverite-(Zn) | Pb(Fe3+2Zn)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Walthierite | Ba0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Huangite | Ca0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natroalunite-2c | (Na,Ca0.5,K)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Karlseifertite | Pb(Ga2Ge)(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Hydroniumjarosite | (H3O)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Ammonioalunite | (NH4)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Ammoniojarosite | (NH4)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Schlossmacherite | (H3O)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.15 | Ye'elimite | Ca4Al6(SO4)O12 |
| 7.BC.20 | Nabokoite | KCu7(SO4)5(Te4+O3)OCl |
| 7.BC.20 | Puninite | Na2Cu3O(SO4)3 |
| 7.BC.20 | Atlasovite | K(BiO)Cu6Fe3+(SO4)5O3Cl |
| 7.BC.25 | Chlorothionite | K2Cu(SO4)Cl2 |
| 7.BC.30 | Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
| 7.BC.30 | Fedotovite | K2Cu3(SO4)3O |
| 7.BC.35 | Kamchatkite | KCu3(SO4)2OCl |
| 7.BC.45 | Alumoklyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Al,Fe3+)(SO4)4O2 |
| 7.BC.45 | Belousovite | KZn(SO4)Cl |
| 7.BC.45 | Klyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Fe3+,Al)(SO4)4O2 |
| 7.BC.47 | Müllerite | Pb2Fe3+(Te6+O6)Cl |
| 7.BC.50 | Caledonite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(CO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.50 | Elasmochloite | Na3Cu6BiO4(SO4)5 |
| 7.BC.52 | Eleomelanite | (K2Pb)Cu4O2(SO4)4 |
| 7.BC.55 | Falgarite | K4(VO)3(SO4)5 |
| 7.BC.55 | Wherryite | Pb7Cu2(SO4)4(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.57 | Krasheninnikovite | KNa2CaMg(SO4)3F |
| 7.BC.60 | Wulffite | K3NaCu4O2(SO4)4 |
| 7.BC.60 | Parawulffite | K5Na3Cu8O4(SO4)8 |
| 7.BC.60 | Mammothite | Pb6Cu4AlSb5+O2(OH)16Cl4(SO4)2 |
| 7.BC.62 | Shuvalovite | K2(Ca2Na)(SO4)3F |
| 7.BC.65 | Saccoite | Ca2Mn3+2F(OH)8 · 0.5(SO4) |
| 7.BC.65 | Linarite | PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.65 | Therasiaite | (NH4)3KNa2Fe2+Fe3+(SO4)3Cl5 |
| 7.BC.65 | Franksousaite | PbCu(Se6+O4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.65 | Munakataite | Pb2Cu2(Se4+O3)(SO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.BC.65 | Schmiederite | Pb2Cu2(Se6+O4)(Se4+O3)(OH)4 |
| 7.BC.70 | Chenite | Pb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.75 | Krivovichevite | Pb3Al(OH)6(SO4)(OH) |
| 7.BC.80 | Anhydrokainite | KMg(SO4)Cl |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 17.6662% | 5,477 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Beginning of desulfatization at 700°C.
Notes:
Unstable in air. Decomposed by H2O, forming residue. Readily soluble in dilute acids.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Unstable in air.
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 Piypite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3225.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Piypite
Reference List:
Effenberger, Herta, Zemann, Josef (1984) The crystal structure of caratiite. Mineralogical Magazine, 48 (349) 541-546 doi:10.1180/minmag.1984.048.349.10
Dunn, Pete J., Gobel, Volker, Grice, Joel D., Puziewicz, Jacek, Shigley, James E., Vanko, David A., Zilczer, Janet (1985) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 70 (3-4) 436-441 pp.437-438
Localities for Piypite
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.
Germany | |
| 58 (in German) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Clark et al. (1984) +2 other references |
| Russo et al. (2004) | |
Russia (TL) | |
| Vergasova L.P. et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data | |
| Vergasova et al. (2000) | |
| Zelenski et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
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Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia