Tokyoite
| Tokyoite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Vanadate mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Ba2(Mn3+,Fe3+)OH(VO4)2 |
| Strunz classification | 8.BG.05 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Space group | Monoclinic - prismatic H-M symbol (2/m) |
| Unit cell | a = 9.104 Å, b = 6.132 Å c = 7.895 Å; β = 112.2°; Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Reddish black |
| Crystal habit | Occurs as splotchy, anhedral crystals forming inclusions |
| Cleavage | None observed |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4.5 - 5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | Deep brownish red |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent |
| Specific gravity | 4.62 calculated |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (?) |
| Refractive index | a=1.99, g=2.03 |
| Birefringence | 0.0400 |
| Pleochroism | Distinct, reddish orange to dark brownish red |
| References | [1][2][3] |
Tokyoite is a rare barium manganese vanadate mineral with the chemical formula: Ba2(Mn3+,Fe3+)OH(VO4)2. It is the manganese analogue of the iron rich gamagarite[2] and the barium analogue of the lead vanadate, brackebuschite.[3]
It occurs in low-grade metamorphosed sedimentary manganese ore deposits[1] associated with hyalophane, braunite and tamaite.[3]
It was first reported for an occurrence in the Shiromaru Mine, Okutama, Tama district, Tokyo Prefecture, Kanto Region, Honshu Island, Japan and approved by the IMA in 2003.[2] It has been found in two mines in Italy and one in Japan, for which it was named.[1]