Reference:
▪ Kampf, A.R., Rossman, G.R., Ma, C., Williams, P.W. (2017): Kyawthuite, Bi3+Sb5+O4, a new gem mineral from Mogok, Burma (Myanmar). Mineralogical Magazine, 81, 477-484.
Abstract:
Kyawthuite, Bi3+Sb5+O4, is a new gem mineral found as a waterworn crystal in alluvium at Chaung-gyi-ah-le-ywa in the Chaung-gyi valley, near Mogok, Burma (Myanmar). Its description is based upon a single sample, which was faceted into a 1.61-carat gem. The composition suggests that the mineral formed in a pegmatite. Kyawthuite is monoclinic, space group I2/c, with unit cell dimensions a = 5.4624(4), b = 4.88519(17), c = 11.8520(8) Å, β = 101.195(7)°, V = 310.25(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The color is reddish orange and the streak is white. It is transparent with adamantine luster. The Mohs hardness is 5½. Kyawthuite is brittle with a conchoidal fracture and three cleavages: {001} perfect, {110} and {-110} good. The measured density is 8.256(5) g/cm3 and the calculated density is 8.127 g/cm3. The mineral is optically biaxial with 2V = 90(2)°. The predicted indices of refraction are α = 2.194, β = 2.268, γ = 2.350. Pleochroism is imperceptible and the optical orientation is X = b; Y ≈ c; Z ≈ a. Electron microprobe analyses, provided the empirical formula (Bi3+0.82Sb3+0.18)Σ1.00(Sb5+0.99Ta5+0.01)Σ1.00O4. The Raman spectrum is similar to that of synthetic Bi3+Sb5+O4. The infrared spectrum shows a trace amount of OH/H2O. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction 26 lines are [dobs in Å(I)(hkl)]: 3.266(100)(-112), 2.900(66)(112), 2.678(24)(200), 2.437(22)(020,-114), 1.8663(21)(024), 1.8026(43)(-116,220,204), 1.6264(23)(-224,116) and 1.5288(28)(312,-132). In the crystal structure of kyawthuite (R1 = 0.0269 for 593 reflections with Fo > 4σF), Sb5+O6 octahedra share corners to form checkerboard-like sheets parallel to {001}. Bi3+ atoms, located above and below the open squares in the sheets, form bonds to the O atoms in the sheets, thereby linking adjacent sheets into a framework. Bi3+ is in lopsided 8 coordination, typical of a cation with stereoactive lone electron pairs. Kyawthuite is isostructural with synthetic β-Sb2O4 and clinocervantite (natural β-Sb2O4).
▪ Kampf, A.R., Rossman, G.R., Ma, C., Williams, P.W. (2017): Kyawthuite, Bi3+Sb5+O4, a new gem mineral from Mogok, Burma (Myanmar). Mineralogical Magazine, 81, 477-484.
Abstract:
Kyawthuite, Bi3+Sb5+O4, is a new gem mineral found as a waterworn crystal in alluvium at Chaung-gyi-ah-le-ywa in the Chaung-gyi valley, near Mogok, Burma (Myanmar). Its description is based upon a single sample, which was faceted into a 1.61-carat gem. The composition suggests that the mineral formed in a pegmatite. Kyawthuite is monoclinic, space group I2/c, with unit cell dimensions a = 5.4624(4), b = 4.88519(17), c = 11.8520(8) Å, β = 101.195(7)°, V = 310.25(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The color is reddish orange and the streak is white. It is transparent with adamantine luster. The Mohs hardness is 5½. Kyawthuite is brittle with a conchoidal fracture and three cleavages: {001} perfect, {110} and {-110} good. The measured density is 8.256(5) g/cm3 and the calculated density is 8.127 g/cm3. The mineral is optically biaxial with 2V = 90(2)°. The predicted indices of refraction are α = 2.194, β = 2.268, γ = 2.350. Pleochroism is imperceptible and the optical orientation is X = b; Y ≈ c; Z ≈ a. Electron microprobe analyses, provided the empirical formula (Bi3+0.82Sb3+0.18)Σ1.00(Sb5+0.99Ta5+0.01)Σ1.00O4. The Raman spectrum is similar to that of synthetic Bi3+Sb5+O4. The infrared spectrum shows a trace amount of OH/H2O. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction 26 lines are [dobs in Å(I)(hkl)]: 3.266(100)(-112), 2.900(66)(112), 2.678(24)(200), 2.437(22)(020,-114), 1.8663(21)(024), 1.8026(43)(-116,220,204), 1.6264(23)(-224,116) and 1.5288(28)(312,-132). In the crystal structure of kyawthuite (R1 = 0.0269 for 593 reflections with Fo > 4σF), Sb5+O6 octahedra share corners to form checkerboard-like sheets parallel to {001}. Bi3+ atoms, located above and below the open squares in the sheets, form bonds to the O atoms in the sheets, thereby linking adjacent sheets into a framework. Bi3+ is in lopsided 8 coordination, typical of a cation with stereoactive lone electron pairs. Kyawthuite is isostructural with synthetic β-Sb2O4 and clinocervantite (natural β-Sb2O4).