Chemistry:Loweite
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| Loweite | |
|---|---|
| File:Loweite-95022.jpg | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Na12Mg7(SO4)13·15H2O |
| Strunz classification | 7.CC.45 |
| Dana classification | 29.04.03.01 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Crystal class | Trigonal-rhombohedral (3) |
| Space group | R3 (No. 148) |
| Unit cell | a = 18.86 Å; c = 13.40 Å; Z = 3 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Colorless; reddish-yellow to orange with impurities |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5–3 |
| |re|er}} | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.36–2.42 |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (–) |
| Refractive index | nω = 1.490; nε = 1.471 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.019 |
| Solubility | Water-soluble, slightly bitter taste |
Loweite is a rare evaporite sulfate mineral with the chemical formula Na12Mg7(SO4)13·15H2O.[1] It occurs in marine salt deposits, saline playa crusts, and occasionally as a volcanic sublimation product. The mineral crystallizes in the hexagonal–trigonal system (space group R3) and is typically colorless, though it may appear reddish-yellow due to impurities.[2] Löweite has a vitreous luster and a Mohs hardness of 2.5–3.[3]
Discovery
Loweite was discovered in 1846 in at the Bad Ischler Salzberg near Bad Ischl, Austria.[2] and described and classified by the Austrian mineralogist Wilhelm Haidinger in 1847.[2] It is named in honor of the Austrian chemist and the Chief Assayer at the Mint in Vienna Alexander Löwe (de).[3]
References
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