Ziesite

Ziesite is a mineral, copper vanadate: formula βCu₂V₂O₇. It was discovered in 1980 as monoclinic crystals around fumaroles in the crater of the Izalco Volcano, El Salvador. It is named after Emmanuel G. Zies, a mineralogist.

Closely related is Blossite, also copper vanadate; its formula is given as αCu₂V₂O₇. It forms orthorhombic crystals. Blossite is named after mineralogist F. Donald Bloss.

The available literature does not explain the significance of the α/β forms other than the different crystal forms.

ee also

*List of minerals
*List of minerals named after people

References

* [http://webmineral.com/data/ziesite.shtml Webmineral data]
* [http://www.mindat.org/min-4402.html Mindat.org]