Volkovskite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Volkovskite
Formula:
KCa4[B5O8OH]4[B(OH)3]2Cl · 4H2O
Colour:
Colourless, pink; varying from pale to deep orange
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
2.27
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in honor of A.I. Volkovskaya (А.И. Волковской), Russian petrographer who first found the mineral in water insoluble residues from drill cores.
Volkovskite was first described from Kazakhstan [TL1] by Kondrat’eva et al. (1966), and redefined by Mandarino et al. (1990) from the Salt Spring deposit [TL2]. The redefinition established the triclinic symmetry and presence of K and Cl as essential constituents in the mineral.
Volkovskite was first described from Kazakhstan [TL1] by Kondrat’eva et al. (1966), and redefined by Mandarino et al. (1990) from the Salt Spring deposit [TL2]. The redefinition established the triclinic symmetry and presence of K and Cl as essential constituents in the mineral.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4202
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4202:0
IMA Classification of Volkovskite
Approved
IMA Formula:
KCa4B22O32(OH)10Cl · 4H2O
First published:
1966
Classification of Volkovskite
6.EC.20
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
C : Phyllo-pentaborates
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
C : Phyllo-pentaborates
26.5.16.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
10.1.14
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlk | 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 Volkovskite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, pink; varying from pale to deep orange
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{010} and {100}
{010} and {100}
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.27(3) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.28 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Volkovskite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.523 - 1.539 nβ = 1.539 - 1.540 nγ = 1.596 - 1.605
2V:
Measured: 14.6° , Calculated: 14.4°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.066 - 0.073
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
Dispersion:
No dispersion
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ a = 31°.
Chemistry of Volkovskite
Mindat Formula:
KCa4[B5O8OH]4[B(OH)3]2Cl · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Volkovskite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.575(2) Å, b = 23.921(8) Å, c = 6.522(2) Å
α = 90.58(3)°, β = 119.10(2)°, γ = 95.56(3)°
α = 90.58(3)°, β = 119.10(2)°, γ = 95.56(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.275 : 1 : 0.273
Unit Cell V:
890.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
The crystals possess perfect cleavages occurring as thinly layered pseudohexagonal/triangular, elongated platy masses.
New Brunswick material: Pseudohexagonal, platy crystals tabular on {010}. Forms identified: {010}, {010}, {001}, {001}, {281}, {281} and {181}.
New Brunswick material: Pseudohexagonal, platy crystals tabular on {010}. Forms identified: {010}, {010}, {001}, {001}, {281}, {281} and {181}.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020421 | Volkovskite | Poulin R S, Grice J D (2013) Volkovskite, a complex borate mineral: refined crystallographic data and optics The Canadian Mineralogist 51 157-169 | 2013 | New Brunswick, Canada | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014191 | Volkovskite | Rastsvetaeva R K, Andrianov V I, Genkina E A, Sokolova T N, Kashaev A A (1992) Crystal structure of volkovskite KCa4B22O32(OH)10Cl*4H2O from Nepkii deposit (E. Siberia) Kristallografiya 37 326-333 | 1992 | Eastern Siberia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.1 Å | (100) |
| 6.03 Å | (60) |
| 5.42 Å | (60) |
| 3.28 Å | (90) |
| 2.86 Å | (60) |
| 2.81 Å | (70) |
| 2.63 Å | (80) |
| 2.15 Å | (70) |
| 2.10 Å | (60) |
| 1.980 Å | (70) |
Comments:
Inder deposit, Kazakhstan. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Volkovskite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Pseudohexagonal to triangular crystals and micaceous plates, to 1 cm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M44196.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Evaporite deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Volkovskite
German:Volkovskit
Russian:Волковскит
Simplified Chinese:沃硼钙石
Spanish:Volkovskita
Traditional Chinese:沃硼钙石
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 18 photos of Volkovskite associated with Hilgardite | Ca2B5O9Cl · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.EC. | Calcioveatchite | SrCaB11O16(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 6.EC.05 | Nasinite | Na2[B5O8(OH)] · 2H2O |
| 6.EC.05 | Biringuccite | Na2B5O8(OH) · H2O |
| 6.EC.10 | Gowerite | Ca[B5O8(OH)][B(OH)3] · 3H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | Veatchite-2M | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | Veatchite-A | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | Veatchite | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | Veatchite-1M | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.25 | Tuzlaite | NaCaB5O8(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 6.EC.30 | Heidornite | Na2Ca3B5O8(SO4)2Cl(OH)2 |
| 6.EC.35 | Popugaevaite | Ca3[B5O6(OH)6]FCl2 · 8H2O |
| 6.EC.35 | Brianroulstonite | Ca3[B5O6(OH)6](OH)Cl2 · 8H2O |
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) | 3.1870% | 988 | 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
IR Spectrum:
Satimola dome material [cm-1]: 3400, 3300, 3175, 3020, 1685s, 1640w, 1510, 1410s, 1386s, 1366s, 1338s, 1266s, 1250sh, 1215w, 1175sh, 1156, 1137, 1099, 1068, 1015s, 982s, 936s, 903s, 840, 812, 763, 704, 626, 610, 572w, 548w, 494w, 475w.
Notes:
Insoluble in water at room temperature.
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 Volkovskite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4202.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Volkovskite
Reference List:
Mandarino, Jospeh A., Rachlin, Alan L., Dunn, Pete, J., Le Page, Yvon, Back, Malcolm E., Murowchick, Bernard L., Ramik, Robert A., Falls, Robert B. (1990) Redefinition of volkovskite and its description from Sussex, New Brunswick. The Canadian Mineralogist, 28 (2) 351-356
Poulin, Rémy S., Grice, Joel D. (2013) Volkovskite, a complex borate mineral: Refined crystallographic data and optics. The Canadian Mineralogist, 51 (1) 157-169 doi:10.3749/canmin.51.1.157
Localities for Volkovskite
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.
Canada | |
| Grice et al. (2002) |
| Mandarino et al. (1990) |
| Grice et al. (2005) |
Kazakhstan (TL) | |
| Kondrat’eva et al. (1966) +3 other references |
| Tony Nikischer specimen |
Russia | |
| Pekov (1998) +1 other reference |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Faheha et al. (2012) |
UK | |
| Lavinsky (n.d.) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Rocks & Min.: 64:472. |
Quick NavTopAbout VolkovskiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Boulby Mine, Loftus, Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire, England, UK