Zharchikhite

Zharchikhite
General
CategoryHalide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
AlF(OH)2
IMA symbolZha[1]
Strunz classification3.AC.05
Crystal systemMonoclinic, pseudo-orthorhombic
Identification
ColourColorless
Crystal habitElongated prismatic cryatals, massive, drusy coatings
CleavagePerfect (010)
TenacityVery brittle
Mohs scale hardness4.5
LusterVitreous
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.81
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.532 nβ = 1.552 nγ = 1.567
Birefringenceδ = 0.035
2V angle80° (calculated)
References[2][3]

Zharchikhite is a halide mineral, a hydroxyl fluoride of aluminium; formula AlF(OH)2. It forms colourless, transparent crystals. Discovered in 1968, it is named after its original locality, the Zharchinskoya Deposit, which is in Buryatia, Russia.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mindat.org - Zharchikhite
  3. ^ Handbook of Mineralogy - Zharchikhite