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Formula: Y2V3+2V4+2(SiO4)2O4(OH)4
Tectosilicate (framework silicate), yttrium- and
vanadium- bearing mineral
Crystal System: Triclinic
Specific gravity: 4.54 calculated
Hardness: 4
Streak: Yellow-grey
Colour: Dark brown
Environments
Sedimentary environments
Hydrothermal environments
Wenlanzhangite-(Y) is a new mineral, approved in 2023 and to date (October 2024) reported only from the
type locality.
Localities
At the type locality, the Yushui Mine, Mei Co., Meizhou, Guangdong, China, wenlanzhangite-(Y), which is a
vanadiferous derivate of
jingwenite-(Y) has been found coexisting with
jingwenite-(Y) in bedded/massive ores. Wenlanzhangite-(Y)
forms as a dark brown, 70 to 100 μm thick rim on a core domain of
jingwenite-(Y), which occurs as 100 to 200 μm columnar crystals.
Compared to jingwenite-(Y), wenlanzhangite-(Y) has higher
vanadium and lower aluminum contents. V3+ can substitute for
Al3+ in jingwenite-(Y), forming wenlanzhangite-(Y).
The occurrence of wenlanzhangite-(Y) indicates a relatively more reducing hydrothermal environment, causing
a reduction of V5+ in oxidised fluids to V3+
(AM 109.10.1738–1747).
The Yushui Mine exploits a small yet high–grade copper deposit with
significant heavy-rare-earth-element enrichment. Minerals associated with wenlanzhangite-(Y) include
thortveitite, roscoelite,
nolanite, jingwenite-(Y),
chalcopyrite and bornite
(Mindat).
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