Jump to content

Cafarsite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Kent G. Budge (talk | contribs) at 17:49, 2 January 2021. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Cafarsite
Cafarsite on granite
General
CategoryArsenites
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ca
8
(Ti,Fe2+
,Fe3+
,Mn)
6–7
(AsO
3
)
12
·4H
2
O
Strunz classification4.JC.05
Crystal systemIsometric
Crystal classDiploidal (m3)
H–M Symbol (2/m 3)
Space groupPn3
Unit cella = 15.984 Å; Z = 4
Identification
Formula mass2,230.31 g/mol
ColorDark brown
Crystal habitCubic/octahedral crystals
FractureConchoidal
Mohs scale hardness5+12 - 6
Lustersub-metallic
StreakYellow brown
DiaphaneityTranslucent to opaque
Specific gravity3.9
Optical propertiesIsotropic
Refractive indexn = 2.2
References[1][2][3]

Cafarsite (Ca
8
(Ti,Fe2+
,Fe3+
,Mn)
6–7
(AsO
3
)
12
·4H
2
O
) is a rare calcium iron arsenite mineral. Manganese and titanium occur with iron in the formula.

It was first described in 1966 for an occurrence in the Binn Valley, Valais, Switzerland. Its name is from the composition, calcium, ferrum (iron), and arsenic.[2][1][3] It has also been reported from Piedmont, Italy and the Hemlo gold mine in the Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada.[3][2]

References