May 28 2014
Yushkinite is a trigonal-ditrigonal pyramidal mineral, containing vanadium, sulfur, oxygen, magnesium, hydrogen, and aluminum. It is a member of the valleriite group.
It was first observed in Pay-Khoy, in the middle stream of the Silova-Yakha River, Russia. The mineral was named after Nikolai Pavlovich Yushkin, a Russian mineralogist.
Properties of Yushkinite
The following are the key properties of Yushkinite:
- Cell Data
- Space Group: P3m1 (?)
- a = 3.21
- c = 11.3
- Z = n.d
- Crystal Data
- Hexagonal
- Point Group: 3m (?)
- Fine flaky, scaly aggregates, up to 8mm, and in veinlets, to 12 mm
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 5.68 (10), 2.76 (6), 1.575 (6), 1.596 (4), 11.4 (3), 1.534 (3), 1.386 (3)
- Chemical Composition
| Elements |
Content 1 |
| S |
32.93 |
| V |
32.48 |
| O |
19.89 |
| Mg |
10.17 |
| Al |
5.66 |
| H |
1.26 |
| Total |
102.39 |
- Optical Properties
- Anisotropism: Strong, orange-red with weak lilac tint in isotropic sections, red-lilac to pinkish dark gray in anisotropic sections.
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density) = 2.87 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Yushkinite = 2.88 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PEYushkinite = 5.79 barns/electron
U = PEYushkinite x ρElectron density = 16.61 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.01
Boson index = 0.99 |
Radioactivity
|
Yushkinite is not radioactive
|
How to Identify Yushkinite
Yushkinite can be found in pinkish-gray, red-lilac or violet colors, with a scaly morphology. It can be formed into aggregates or flakes. It has an opaque appearance, reddish-gray streak, and metallic luster.
The relative hardness of yushkinite is 1, and its density is 2.94 g/cm3.
Global Distribution
Yushkinite is widely distributed in Dolgozhdanny Waterfall, middle Silova-Yakha River, Pay-Khoy Mountains and Yugorskii Peninsula, Russia.
Occurrence of Yushkinite and Useful Mineral Association
Yushkinite occurs in quartz-carbonate veins in carbonate rocks.
It is closely associated with fluorite, sulvanite, and cadmian sphalerite.
References