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Mariinskite, BeCr2O4, a new mineral, chromium analog of chrysoberyl

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Abstract

A new mineral, mariinskite, BeCr2O4, the chromium analog of chrysoberyl, has been found at the Mariinsky (Malyshevo) deposit, the Ural Emerald Mines, the Central Urals, Russia. The mineral is named after its type locality. It was discovered in chromitite in association with fluorphlogopite, Cr-bearing muscovite, eskolaite, and tourmaline. Mariinskite occurs as anhedral grains ranging from 0.01 to 0.3 mm in size; in some cases it forms pseudohexagonal chrysoberyl-type twins. The mineral is dark-green, with a pale green streak; the Mohs’ hardness is 8.5, microhardness VHN = 1725 kg/mm2. D meas = 4.25(2) g/cm3, D calc = 4.25 g/cm3. Microscopically, it is emerald-green, pleochroic from emerald-green (γ) to yellow-green (β) and greenish yellow (α). The new mineral is biaxial (+), γ = 2.15(1), β = 2.09(3), and α = 2.05(1), 2V meas = 80 ± (10)°, 2V calc = 80.5°. In reflected light, it is gray with green reflections; R max (589) = 12.9%; R min (589) = 12.3%, and there are strong, internal green reflections. The strongest absorption bands in the IR spectrum are as follows (cm−1): 935, 700, 614, 534. Space group Pnma, a = 9.727(3), b = 5.619(1), c = 4.499(1) Å, V = 245.9(3) Å3, Z = 4. The strongest reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are as follows (d Å, I, hkl): 4.08(40)(101), 3.31(90)(111), 2.629(50)(301), 2.434(50)(220), 2.381(40)(311), 2.139(60)(221), 1.651(100)(222). The average chemical composition of mariinskite (electron microprobe, wt %) is as follows: BeO 16.3, Al2O3 23.89, Cr2O3 58.67, Fe2O3 0.26, V2O3 0.26, TiO2 0.61, total is 99.98. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of four O atoms is Be1.03(Cr1.22Al0.74Ti0.01Fe0.01V0.01)1.99O4. The compatibility index 1 − (Kp/Kc), 0.019, is excellent. The type specimens are deposited in the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, and the Ural Geological Museum, Yekaterinburg, Russia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 18-2, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    L. A. Pautov & V. Yu. Karpenko

  2. Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Ural Division, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pochtovyi per. 7, Yekaterinburg, 620151, Russia

    M. P. Popov, Yu. V. Erokhin & V. V. Khiller

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  1. L. A. Pautov
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Original Russian Text © L.A. Pautov, M.P. Popov, Yu.V. Erokhin, V.V. Khiller, V.Yu. Karpenko, 2012, published in Zapiski Rossiiskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva, 2012, No. 6, pp. 43–62.

A new mineral, mariinskite, and its name were recommended by the Commission on New Minerals Russian Mineralogical Society and approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature, and Mineral Classification of the International Mineralogical Association on September 1, 2011 (IMA no. 2011-057.

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Pautov, L.A., Popov, M.P., Erokhin, Y.V. et al. Mariinskite, BeCr2O4, a new mineral, chromium analog of chrysoberyl. Geol. Ore Deposits 55, 648–662 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1075701513080096

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