Zharchikhite is a halide mineral, a hydroxyl fluoride of aluminium; formula AlF(OH)2. It forms colourless, transparent crystals. Discovered in 1968, it is named after its original locality, the Zharchinskoya Deposit, which is in Buryatia, Russia.
| Zharchikhite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Halide mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | AlF(OH)2 |
| IMA symbol | Zha[1] |
| Strunz classification | 3.AC.05 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic, pseudo-orthorhombic |
| Identification | |
| Colour | Colorless |
| Crystal habit | Elongated prismatic cryatals, massive, drusy coatings |
| Cleavage | Perfect (010) |
| Tenacity | Very brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.81 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.532 nβ = 1.552 nγ = 1.567 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.035 |
| 2V angle | 80° (calculated) |
| References | [2][3] |
References edit
- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ Mindat.org - Zharchikhite
- ^ Handbook of Mineralogy - Zharchikhite