Chemistry:Laurionite

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Laurionite
Laurionite-154998.jpg
Laurionite crystals in a vug from the Laurium district of Greece
General
CategoryHalide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
PbCl(OH)
Strunz classification3.DC.05
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPnma
Unit cella = 7.111, b = 9.6987
c = 4.0203 [Å]; Z = 4
Identification
ColorColorless, white
Crystal habitElongated tabular prismatic crystals
CleavageDistinct on {101}
TenacityFlexible
Mohs scale hardness3–3.5
|re|er}}Adamantine, pearly
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity6.241
Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)
Refractive indexnα = 2.077 nβ = 2.116 nγ = 2.158
Birefringenceδ = 0.081
2V angleMeasured: 70°
SolubilitySleight in cold water
References[1][2][3][4]

Laurionite (PbCl(OH)) is a lead halide mineral. It forms colorless to white crystals in the orthorhombic crystal system and is dimorphous with paralaurionite, both members of the matlockite group.[1]

It was first described in 1887 for an occurrence in the Laurium District, Attica, Greece, and named after the town Laurium.[1] It occurs as an oxidation product in lead ore deposits, and is also produced on lead-bearing slag by reaction with saline solutions. It occurs associated with paralaurionite, penfieldite, fiedlerite, phosgenite, cerussite and anglesite.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mindat.org
  2. 2.0 2.1 Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. Webmineral data for laurionite
  4. Mineralienatlas
  5. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine 85 (3): 291–320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. Bibcode2021MinM...85..291W.