Calclacite
| Calclacite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Ca(CH3COO)Cl·5H2O |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Identification | |
| Color | White |
| Mohs scale hardness | 1.5 |
| Luster | Silky |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent |
| Specific gravity | 1.5 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.468 nβ = 1.484 nγ = 1.515 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.047 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 80°, Calculated: 74° |
| Dispersion | Relatively feeble |
| References | [1] |
Calclacite is a mineral and an organic compound. Its name references the components, which are calcium ions (Ca2+), chloride (Cl−) and acetate CH3COO2−.
Characteristics
Calclacite is an organic compound with chemical formula Ca(CH3COO)Cl·5H2O. It forms crystals in the monoclinic system, with silky hairlike efflorescences up to 4 cm long.
According to the Nickel-Strunz classification, calclacite is an organic acid salt and occurs with formicaite, acetamide, dashkovaite, paecite and hoganite.[2] It is white and its hardness on the Mohs scale is 1.5.
Formation
Calclacite is formed on samples of rocks, fossils, and on fragments of ceramics, by the action of acetic acid produced from the oak of the storage cabinets.[2]