Carminite | |
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General | |
Category | Arsenate minerals |
Formula (repeating unit) | PbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
IMA symbol | Cmt[1] |
Strunz classification | 8.BH.30 (10 ed) 7/B.28-40 (8 ed) |
Dana classification | 41 Anhydrous phosphates, arsenates and vanadates containing hydroxyl or halogen |
Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Space group | Cccm |
Unit cell | a = 16.591 Å, b = 7.58 Å, c = 12.285 Å; Z = 8 |
Identification | |
Formula mass | 639.87 g/mol |
Colour | Carmine red |
Crystal habit | Typically bladed crystals, also acicular crystals, in spherical or tufted aggregates and as fibrous or drusy masses |
Cleavage | Distinct on {110} |
Tenacity | Brittle (D, All) |
Mohs scale hardness | 3+1⁄2 |
Lustre | Vitreous, pearly on cleavages |
Streak | Reddish yellow |
Diaphaneity | Translucent |
Specific gravity | 5.03–5.18 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
Refractive index | nα = 2.070, nβ = 2.070, nγ = 2.080 |
Birefringence | 0.010 |
Pleochroism | strong, X= pale yellowish red; Y=Z= dark carmine red |
Solubility | Slowly soluble in HCl with the separation of PbCl2, and totally soluble in HNO3 |
Other characteristics | Carminite is not radioactive. No piezoelectric effect could be detected[2] |
References | [3][4][5][6][7] |
Carminite (PbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2[8]) is an anhydrous arsenate mineral containing hydroxyl.[citation needed] It is a rare secondary mineral that is structurally related to palermoite (Li2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4).[8] Sewardite (CaFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2) is an analogue of carminite, with calcium in sewardite in place of the lead in carminite. Mawbyite is a dimorph (same formula, different structure) of carminite; mawbyite is monoclinic and carminite is orthorhombic.[4] It has a molar mass of 639.87 g.[5] It was discovered in 1850[4] and named for the characteristic carmine colour.[5][6]