Chemistry:Stilpnomelane

From HandWiki
Stilpnomelane
General
CategoryPhyllosilicates
Smectite group
Formula
(repeating unit)
K(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)
8
(Si,Al)
12
(O,OH)
27
 · n(H
2
O)
Strunz classification9.EG.40
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP1
Unit cella = 21.72 Å, b = 21.72 Å
c = 17.4 Å; α = 124.14°
β = 95.86°, γ = 120°; Z = 6
Identification
ColorBlack, greenish black, yellowish bronze, greenish bronze
Crystal habitPlatey, scaly and fibrous with comb structures; radiating groups
CleavagePerfect on {001}, imperfect on {010}
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness3–4
|re|er}}Vitreous to dull
StreakGray white
DiaphaneitySubtranslucent to opaque
Specific gravity2.77 – 2.96
Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)
Refractive indexnα = 1.543 – 1.634 nβ = 1.576 – 1.745 nγ = 1.576 – 1.745
Birefringenceδ = 0.033 – 0.111
PleochroismX: bright golden yellow to pale yellow Y and Z: deep reddish brown, to deep green to nearly black
2V angle0–40 measured
DispersionNone
References[1][2][3]

Stilpnomelane is a phyllosilicate mineral. It has the chemical formula K(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)
8
(Si,Al)
12
(O,OH)
27
 · n(H
2
O)
.[3]

Stilpnomelane occurs associated with banded iron formations. It is a metamorphic mineral associated with the blueschist and greenschist facies.[1]

It was first described in 1827 for an occurrence in Moravia in the Czech Republic. The name is derived from the Greek stilpnos for shining, and melanos for black.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Handbook of Mineralogy
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Stilpnomelane on Mindat
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Stilpnomelane on Webmineral
  4. ↑ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine 85 (3): 291–320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. Bibcode: 2021MinM...85..291W.