Bartelkeite
Bartelkeite | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Germanate mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | PbFeGe(Ge2O7)(OH)2•H2O |
Strunz classification | 9.J0.10 (10 ed) 4/C.08-60 (8 ed) |
Dana classification | 7.6.2.1 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Spheroidal (2) or prismatic (2/m) |
Space group | P21 or P21/m |
Unit cell | a = 5.83, b = 13.62, c = 6.31 [Å], β = 127.31° (approximated); Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Color | Colorless, white, very pale greenish |
Crystal habit | tabular; acicular |
Cleavage | {101}, distinct |
Mohs scale hardness | ca. 4 |
Luster | Subadamantine |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Transparent |
Density | 4.97 (calculated) |
Optical properties | Biaxal (-) |
Refractive index | nα=1.89, nβ=1.91, nγ=1.91 (approximated) |
2V angle | ca. 35o (measured) |
References | [1][2][3] |
Bartelkeite is an exceptionally rare mineral, one of scarce natural germanium compounds.[3] The formula was originally assumed to be PbFeGe3O8,[4] bartelkeite was later shown to be isostructural with a high-pressure form of the mineral lawsonite. Thus, its correct formula is PbFeGe(Ge2O7)(OH)2•H2O.[1] Bartelkeite and mathewrogersite are minerals with essential (dominant) lead, iron and germanium.[5] Both come from Tsumeb, Namibia - a world's "capital" of germanium minerals.[6]
Occurrence and association
Bartelkeite was detected in voids of germanium ore occurring within dolostones. The mineral associates with galena, germanite, reniérite, and tennantite.[2]
Crystal structure
Bartelkeite is the first analyzed mineral containing both tetrahedrally- and octahedrally-coordinated germanium. It is isostructural with high-pressure form of the silicate lawsonite. In the structure there are:[1]
- chains of FeO6 and GeO6 octahedra, that share edges
- Ge2O7 dimers that cross-link the chains
- Pb atoms and water molecules in large cavities of the framework
References
- ^ a b c Origlieri, M.J., Yang, H., Downs, R.T., Posner, E.S., Domanik, K.J., and Pinch, W.P., 2012. The crystal structure of bartelkeite, with a revised chemical formula, PbFeGeVI(Ge2IVO7)(OH)2·H2O, isotypic with high-pressure P21/m lawsonite. American Mineralogist 97(10), 1812-1815
- ^ a b "Bartelkeite - Handbook of Mineralogy" (PDF). Handbookofmineralogy.org. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
- ^ a b "Bartelkeite: Bartelkeite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ Keller, V.P., Hess, H., and Dunn, P.J., 1981. Bartelkeit, PbFe2+Ge3O8, ein neues Germanium-Mineral von Tsumeb, Namibia. Chemie der Erde 40, 201-206 (in German)
- ^ "Mathewrogersite: Mathewrogersite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region (Oshikoto), Namibia - Mindat.org". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-10.