Sanguite
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| Sanguite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Halides |
| Formula (repeating unit) | KCuCl₃ |
| IMA symbol | Sgu |
| Crystal system | monoclinic |
| Crystal class | 2/m |
| Space group | 2/ m - prismatic |
| Unit cell | V = 481.38 ų |
| Identification | |
| Color | bright red |
| Twinning | polysynthetic twinning has been observed. |
| Cleavage | Perfect |
| Fracture | staggered, step-like |
| Tenacity | fragile |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | reddish orange |
| Density | 2.86(1) g/cm³ (measured); 2.88 g/cm³ (calculated) |
| Optical properties | biaxial |
| Refractive index | n α = 1.653(3) n β = 1.780(6) n γ = 1.900(8) |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.247 |
| Pleochroism | strong |
| 2V angle | Measured: 85° (5) Calculated: 82° |
| Dispersion | very strong |
| References | [1] |
Sanguite is a halide mineral. It is named after the Latin word sanguis, meaning blood, due to its bright red colouration. It was approved as a valid species by the International Mineralogical Association in 2013.
Characteristics
[edit]Sanguite is a chloride with the chemical formula KCuCl3. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and has a Mohs scale hardness of 3.
Formation and deposition
[edit]Sanguite was discovered in the Glavnaya Tenoritovaya fumarole on the Tolbachik Volcano in Kamchatka Krai, Russia, the only place on Earth where it is known to form.[1] There it forms in clusters or crusts as fine prismatic crystals up to 1 mm long and 0.2 mm thick.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Sanguite". Mindat.org. June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.The map of localities is at the bottom of the page, showing it is only known to form on Tolbachik.