Cacoxenite
| Cacoxenite | |
|---|---|
|
Cacoxenite, Minas de Horcajo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain | |
| General | |
| Category | Phosphate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Fe3+24Al(PO4)17O6(OH)12·17(H2O) |
| Strunz classification | 08.DC.40 |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Space group |
Hexagonal dipyramidal H-M symbol: 6/m Space group: P63/m |
| Unit cell | a = 27.559(1) Å, c = 10.55Å; Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Yellow to brownish yellow, reddish orange, golden yellow, deep orange, green; yellow in transmitted light |
| Crystal habit | Acicular, radial, stellate |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Mohs scale hardness | 3-4 |
| Luster | Silky |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | semitransparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.2 - 2.6 |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | nω = 1.575 - 1.585 nε = 1.635 - 1.656 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.060 |
| Pleochroism | visible: O = Pale yellow E = Canary yellow to yellow orange |
| References | [1][2] |
Cacoxenite is an iron aluminium phosphate mineral with formula: Fe3+24Al(PO4)17O6(OH)12·17(H2O).[2] It is associated with iron ores. The name comes from the Greek κăκός for "bad" or "evil" and ξένος for "guest" because the phosphorus content of cacoxenite lessens the quality of iron smelted from ore containing it.
It was first described in 1825 for an occurrence in the Hrbek Mine, Bohemia, Czech Republic.[2] It occurs as a secondary phase in oxidized magnetite and limonite deposits. It also occurs in novaculites and in iron and phosphorus rich sediments.[2]
References
Cacoxenite, 6.2 x 5.4 x 4.1 cm, Fort Lismeenagh, Shanagolden, County Limerick, Ireland
Quartz with cacoxenite - cut - Minas Gerais - Brasil
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cacoxenite. |
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 2/26/2013. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.