Changoite | |
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General | |
Category | Sulfate mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) |
Na2Zn(SO4)2•4H2O |
Strunz classification | 7.CC.50 (10 ed) 6/C.18-25 (8 ed) |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | P21/a |
Unit cell | a = 11.08, b = 8.25, c = 5.53 [Å], β = 100.18° (approximated); Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Color | Colorless |
Crystal habit | anhedral crystals, in small veins |
Mohs scale hardness | 2-3 |
Luster | Vitreous |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Trasnparent |
Density | 2.50 (measured) |
Optical properties | Biaxal (-) |
Refractive index | nα=1.51, nβ=1.51, nγ=1.52 (approximated) |
2V angle | 83o (calculated) |
References |
Changoite is a rare nickel mineral with the formula Na2Zn(SO4)2•4H2O. Chagoite was discovered in San Francisco mine near Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta, Chile. The mineral is a zinc-analogue of blödite, cobaltoblödite, manganoblödite and nickelblödite - other representatives of the blödite group. In terms of chemistry changoite is somewhat similar to gordaite. Mineral's name comes from the early inhabitants of Chile - Changos.
Traces of magnesium and calcium in changoite are negligible.
Minerals associating with changoite are gypsum, zinc-bearing paratacamite, and thénardite.