Sanguite is a halide mineral. It is named after the Latin word sanguis, meaning blood, due to its bright red colouration. It was approved as a valid species by the International Mineralogical Association in 2013.

Sanguite
General
CategoryHalides
Formula
(repeating unit)
KCuCl₃
IMA symbolSgu
Crystal systemmonoclinic
Crystal class2/m
Space group2/ m - prismatic
Unit cellV = 481.38 ų
Identification
Colorbright red
Twinningpolysynthetic twinning has been observed.
CleavagePerfect
Fracturestaggered, step-like
Tenacityfragile
LusterVitreous
Streakreddish orange
Density2.86(1) g/cm³ (measured); 2.88 g/cm³ (calculated)
Optical propertiesbiaxial
Refractive indexn α = 1.653(3) n β = 1.780(6) n γ = 1.900(8)
Birefringenceδ = 0.247
Pleochroismstrong
2V angleMeasured: 85° (5) Calculated: 82°
Dispersionvery strong
References[1]

Characteristics

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Sanguite is a chloride with the chemical formula KCuCl3. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and has a Mohs scale hardness of 3.

Formation and deposition

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Sanguite was discovered in the Glavnaya Tenoritovaya fumarole on the Tolbachik Volcano in Kamchatka Krai, Russia, the only place on Earth where it is known to form.[1] There it forms in clusters or crusts as fine prismatic crystals up to 1 mm long and 0.2 mm thick.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sanguite". Mindat.org. June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.The map of localities is at the bottom of the page, showing it is only known to form on Tolbachik.