Flinteite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Flinteite
Evgeniy E. Flint
Formula:
K2ZnCl4
Colour:
Light green, light yellow to bright greenish-yellow , colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.49
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honour of Evgeniy Evgenievich Flint (Евгений Евгеньевич Флинт) (7 September 1887, Moscow, Russian Empire – 10 November 1975, Moscow, USSR), crystallographer. He was a professor in the Department of Crystallography, Moscow State University, and later in the Department of Mineralogy and Crystallography MGRI and Institute of Crystallography, USSR Academy of Sciences. He did considerable reasearch on goniometric measurements of crystals.
The natural analogue of a well-known synthetic room-temperature modification of K2ZnCl4, a ferroelectric material.
The most simple natural K-Zn chloride, chemically related to cryobostryxite (hydrated) and mellizinkalite (anhydrous).
In the structure there are 3 Zn sites, with Zn-centered ZnCl4 tetrahedra, and 6 K sites.
Chemically identical phase was reported to crystallize from volcanic gas (Iodake crater, Satsuma-Ioujima volcano) in an experimental condensation in silica tubes, in the temperature range of 400-500oC (Africano et al., 2002).
The most simple natural K-Zn chloride, chemically related to cryobostryxite (hydrated) and mellizinkalite (anhydrous).
In the structure there are 3 Zn sites, with Zn-centered ZnCl4 tetrahedra, and 6 K sites.
Chemically identical phase was reported to crystallize from volcanic gas (Iodake crater, Satsuma-Ioujima volcano) in an experimental condensation in silica tubes, in the temperature range of 400-500oC (Africano et al., 2002).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46109
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46109:4
IMA Classification of Flinteite
Approved
Approval year:
2014
First published:
2015
Type description reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Britvin, Sergey N., Vigasina, Marina F., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry . YU (2015) New zinc and potassium chlorides from fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia: mineral data and crystal chemistry. II. Flinteite, K2ZnCl4. European Journal of Mineralogy, 27 (4) 581-588 doi:10.1127/ejm/2015/0027-2459
Classification of Flinteite
3.A0.
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
0 :
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
0 :
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fnt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Flinteite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Light green, light yellow to bright greenish-yellow , colourless
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
One direction of distinct cleavage was observed
One direction of distinct cleavage was observed
Density:
2.49 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Flinteite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.573(1) nβ = 1.574(1) nγ = 1.576(1)
2V:
Measured: 40°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.003
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Flinteite
Mindat Formula:
K2ZnCl4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Rb,Cs
Crystallography of Flinteite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pna21
Setting:
Pna21
Cell Parameters:
a = 26.809(1) Å, b = 12.4085(6) Å, c = 7.2512(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.161 : 1 : 0.584
Unit Cell V:
2412.18 ų
Z:
12
Morphology:
Prismatic crystals. Granular aggregates or crusts.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020735 | Flinteite | Mikhail I, Peters K (1979) The structure of potassium tetrachlorozincate Acta Crystallographica B35 1200-1201 |  | 1979 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0020736 | Flinteite | Kusz J, Kucharczyk D (1994) The comparative study of the commensurate structure of K2ZnC14 Applied Crystallography: Proceedings of the XVI Conference 16 268-272 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.229 Å | (27) |
| 5.123 Å | (88) |
| 3.629 Å | (98) |
| 3.599 Å | (100) |
| 3.133 Å | (35) |
| 3.039 Å | (26) |
| 2.897 Å | (35) |
| 2.688 Å | (46) |
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Britvin, Sergey N., Vigasina, Marina F., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry . YU (2015) New zinc and potassium chlorides from fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia: mineral data and crystal chemistry. II. Flinteite, K2ZnCl4. European Journal of Mineralogy, 27 (4) 581-588 doi:10.1127/ejm/2015/0027-2459
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Arsenatnaya and Glavnaya Tenoritovaya fumaroles, Second scoria cone
Type Occurrence of Flinteite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic crystals up to 0.2 × 0.3 × 1.2 mm and granular aggregates or crusts up to 0.5 × 5 × 5 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4529/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In active fumaroles
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Britvin, Sergey N., Vigasina, Marina F., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry . YU (2015) New zinc and potassium chlorides from fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia: mineral data and crystal chemistry. II. Flinteite, K2ZnCl4. European Journal of Mineralogy, 27 (4) 581-588 doi:10.1127/ejm/2015/0027-2459
Synonyms of Flinteite
Other Language Names for Flinteite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.A0. | Mellizinkalite | K3Zn2Cl7 |
| 3.A0. | Oskarssonite | AlF3 |
| 3.A0. | Sanguite | KCuCl3 |
| 3.A0. | Waimirite-(Y) | YF3 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 27.4000% | 8,494 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Flinteite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46109.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Flinteite
Reference List:
Africano, F., Van Rompaey, G., Bernard, A., Le Guern, F (2002) Deposition of trace elements from high temperature gases of Satsuma-Iwojima volcano. Earth Planets and Space, 54 (3). 275-286 doi:10.1186/BF03353027
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Britvin, Sergey N., Vigasina, Marina F., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry . YU (2015) New zinc and potassium chlorides from fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia: mineral data and crystal chemistry. II. Flinteite, K2ZnCl4. European Journal of Mineralogy, 27 (4) 581-588 doi:10.1127/ejm/2015/0027-2459
Localities for Flinteite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2015) |
| Williams et al. (2014) +3 other references |
| Pekov et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
| Pekov et al. (2015) |
Quick NavTopAbout FlinteiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
First scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia