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Graemite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About GraemiteHide

09240470017271923578318.jpg
Richard Graeme III
Formula:
Cu[TeO3] ¡ H2O
Colour:
Blue-green
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
4.13
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by S.A. Williams and P. Matter in 1975 in honour of Richard (Dick) Graeme III (1941, Bisbee, Arizona, USA - 3 June 2021), American geologist and mineral collector who discovered the mineral. He began collecting Bisbee minerals at age six. At one point, he was the Resident Geologist of the Copper Queen Branch mine.
This page provides mineralogical data about Graemite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1734
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1734:9

Similar NamesHide

CromiteA synonym of Chromite
GarmiteA valid IMA mineral speciesCsLiMg2(Si4O10)F2
GrammiteA synonym of Wollastonite
GrimmiteA valid IMA mineral speciesNiCo2S4
GurimiteA valid IMA mineral speciesBa3(VO4)2
Keramite (of Hunt)A variety of Kaolinite
Keramite (of Mellor and Scott)A synonym of Mullite
KuramiteA valid IMA mineral speciesCu3SnS4

IMA Classification of GraemiteHide

Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+Te4+O3¡H2O
Approval year:
1974

Classification of GraemiteHide

4.JM.15

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
M : Tellurites without additional anions, with H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
34.2.1.1
34.2.1.1

34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
2 : A(XO3)·xH2O
28.3.3

28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
GmiIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Pronunciation of GraemiteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of GraemiteHide

Colour:
Blue-green
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
good on {010}
Parting:
good on (100)
Density:
4.13(9) g/cm3 (Measured)    

Optical Data of GraemiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.920(3) nβ = 1.960(3) nγ = 2.200(5)
2V:
Measured: 48° , Calculated: 50°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.280
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 Âľm 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:
Very High (positive)
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.
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Z and Y blue green, X yellowish green;

Chemistry of GraemiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu[TeO3] ¡ H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Te49.619 %
O24.886 %
Cu24.711 %
H0.784 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Te
O
Cu
H

Crystallography of GraemiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pmma
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.805(6) Å, b = 25.613(15) Å, c = 5.780(6) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.266 : 1 : 0.226
Unit Cell V:
1,007.43 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
10

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
6.395 Å(10)
3.434 Å(8)
12.803 Å(5)
2.558 Å(5)
2.873 Å(4)
2.343 Å(4)
5.640 Å(3)
2.801 Å(3)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates]

Type Occurrence of GraemiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
divergent platy, bladed crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Arizona collection.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
oxidation of hypogene ore deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of GraemiteHide

Other Language Names for GraemiteHide

Dutch:Graemiet
German:Graemit
Spanish:Graemita

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
8 photos of Graemite associated with TeineiteCu2+(Te4+O3) ¡ 2H2O
3 photos of Graemite associated with TlalociteCu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl ¡ 27H2O
2 photos of Graemite associated with HessiteAg2Te
1 photo of Graemite associated with CesbroniteCu2+3Te6+O4(OH)4
1 photo of Graemite associated with CupriteCu2O
1 photo of Graemite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
1 photo of Graemite associated with Choloalite(Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.JM.WortupaiteMgNi2+2(Te4+O3)3 ¡ 3H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
4.JM.RudolfhermanniteFe3+2(Te4+O3)3(H2O)Hex. 6/m : P63/m
4.JM.05ZemanniteMg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 ¡ 4.5H2OTrig. 3 : P3
4.JM.05KeystoneiteMg0.5Ni2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3 ¡ 4.5H2OHex. 6 : P63
4.JM.05KinichiliteMg0.5Mn2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3 ¡ 4.5H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
4.JM.05IlirneyiteMg0.5ZnMn3+(Te4+O3)3 ¡ 4.5H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
4.JM.10EmmonsiteFe3+2(TeO3)3 ¡ 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
4.JM.10BlakeiteFe3+2[TeO3]3 (?)
4.JM.20TelluromandarinoiteFe3+2Te3O9 ¡ 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
4.JM.20TeineiteCu2+(Te4+O3) ¡ 2H2OOrth. 222 : P212121
4.JM.25MillsiteCu2+(Te4+O3) ¡ 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c

Fluorescence of GraemiteHide

Other InformationHide

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 GraemiteHide

References for GraemiteHide

Localities for GraemiteHide

Showing 9 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Belgium
 
  • Wallonia
    • Luxembourg
      • Vielsalm
        • Salmchâteau
Blondieau (2005)
Mexico
 
  • Sonora
    • Moctezuma Municipality
Braith et al. (2001)
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Cochise County
Graeme (1993)
Williams et al. (1975) +1 other reference
Graeme (1993) +1 other reference
    • La Paz County
Williams et al. (1975) +1 other reference
Williams et al. (1975) +1 other reference
  • Utah
    • Utah County
      • East Tintic Mining District
SEM EDS and XRD confirmed by Rob Bowell.
 
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