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Sveite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Sveite
Sociedad Venezolana de Espeleologia
Formula:
(K3-xā»x)Al8(NO3)6O8Cl4 Ā· nH2O
may represent more than a single species; formerly here as: KAl7(NO3)4(OH)16Cl2.8H2O; a more general formula, formulated in future, is likely
Colour:
White, colorless under the microscope
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
2.0
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From SVE, the acronym for the Sociedad Venezolana de Espeleologia, whose members collected the original specimen.
Type Locality:
May represent more than a single species: variable K and Cl contents are proved for sveite from different localities (Knaack et al., 2023).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3838
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3838:2
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Sveite
Approved
IMA Formula:
KAl7(N5+O3)4(OH)16Cl2Ā·8H2O
Approval year:
1980
First published:
1980
Classification of Sveite
5.ND.20
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
D : With OH (etc.) and H2O
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
D : With OH (etc.) and H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
19.2.3.1
19.1.3.1
19 : NITRATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Anhydrous Nitrates Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
19 : NITRATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Anhydrous Nitrates Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
13.8
13 : Nitrates
13 : Nitrates
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAāCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Sv | IMAāCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAāCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Sveite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White, colorless under the microscope
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Comparable to talc
Cleavage:
Perfect
Presumably {001}
Presumably {001}
Density:
2.0 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.185 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured using sink-float method. Calculated using ideal formula.
Optical Data of Sveite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.501 nβ = 1.503 nγ = 1.535
2V:
Calculated: 30°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.034
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 Āµm 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 Āµm 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 strong
Chemistry of Sveite
Mindat Formula:
(K3-xā»x)Al8(NO3)6O8Cl4 Ā· nH2O
may represent more than a single species; formerly here as: KAl7(NO3)4(OH)16Cl2.8H2O; a more general formula, formulated in future, is likely
may represent more than a single species; formerly here as: KAl7(NO3)4(OH)16Cl2.8H2O; a more general formula, formulated in future, is likely
Crystallography of Sveite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.89 Å, b = 13.04 Å, c = 30.71 Å
β = 92.10°
β = 92.10°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.835 : 1 : 2.355
Unit Cell V:
4,358.06 Ć
Ā³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.20 Ć | (100) |
| 2.443 Ć | (55) |
| 3.692 Ć | (40) |
| 5.995 Ć | (35) |
| 6.174 Ć | (20) |
| 4.209 Ć | (20) |
| 2.752 Ć | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Sveite
General Appearance of Type Material:
White crusts and efflorescences.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Central Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1985,348.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 162532.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1985,348.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 162532.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Cave with water seepage.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Sveite
Other Language Names for Sveite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.ND.05 | Likasite | Cu3(NO3)(OH)5 Ā· 2H2O |
| 5.ND.10 | Mbobomkulite | (Ni,Cu)Al4((NO3)2,SO4)(OH)12 Ā· 3H2O |
| 5.ND.15 | Hydrombobomkulite | (Ni,Cu)Al4((NO3)2,SO4)(OH)12 Ā· 13-14H2O |
| 5.ND.25 | Lislkirchnerite | Pb6Al(OH)8Cl2(NO3)5 Ā· 2H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Produces red-brown fumes when heated in a test tube.
A strong endothermic peak at 240Ā°C, including a shoulder at 200Ā°C, corresponding to 49% loss in mass. Weak endothermic reactions at 400Ā°C, representing about 6% loss (poorly distinct from previous loss). Weak and broad at 1000Ā°C (3% loss), and weak at 1150Ā°C (1% loss).
A strong endothermic peak at 240Ā°C, including a shoulder at 200Ā°C, corresponding to 49% loss in mass. Weak endothermic reactions at 400Ā°C, representing about 6% loss (poorly distinct from previous loss). Weak and broad at 1000Ā°C (3% loss), and weak at 1150Ā°C (1% loss).
Notes:
Completely soluble in HCl and H2SO4 but dissolves with difficulty in HNO3. Gelatinous when moist. Highly hygroscopic, forming a residue of Al(OH)3.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Highly hygroscopic, forming a residue of Al(OH)3.
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 Sveite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3838.html
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References for Sveite
Localities for Sveite
Showing 6 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ā - 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.
Australia | |
| May et al. (2015) |
Brazil | |
| Atencio et al. (2022) |
South Africa | |
| Miller et al. (2013) |
USA | |
| Graham et al. (1988) |
Venezuela (TL) | |
| Martini (1980) |
| Franco Urbani (2009) |
Quick NavTopAbout SveiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA 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
Ponta Grossa, ParanĆ”, Brazil