Charlesite

Charlesite
Charlesite from N'Chwaning mines, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
General
Category	Sulfate mineral Ettringite group
Formula (repeating unit)	Ca6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2B(OH4)(O,OH)12*26H2
Strunz classification	7.DG.15
Dana classification	32.4.4.1
Crystal system	Trigonal
Crystal class	Ditrigonal pyramidal (3m) H-M symbol: (3m)
Space group	P31c
Unit cell	a = 11.16 Å, c = 21.21 Å; Z = 2
Identification
Color	Colorless, white, rarely pale yellow, rarely pink
Crystal habit	Prismatic, hexagonal dipyramidal crystals
Twinning	none
Cleavage	Perfect on {10bar10}
Fracture	Irregular/Uneven
Tenacity	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	2.5
Luster	Vitreous on cleavage and fracture surfaces
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Transparent
Density	1.77 g/cm3
Optical properties	uniaxial (-)
Refractive index	nώ = 1.492(3) n∈ = 1.475(3)
Pleochroism	Nearly colorless to pale golden yellow
Ultraviolet fluorescence	there is weak violet or weak green short wave ultraviolet radiation
References

Charlesite is a sulfate found in the Ettringite group. Charlesite was named in 1945 after Dr. Charles Palache mineralogist and professor at Harvard University for his known work with minerals. This mineral is extremely rare, and when it is found it is often in crystal (but not gem) form. Its crystals are soft hexagonal, that can vary in color. Colors can range from clear to white, or even a pale yellow or pink. The brittle mineral's Mohs hardness is 2.5 with a specific gravity of 1.79. Though transparent to the eye the mineral has a white streak.

Occurrence

Charlesite has only been found in a few specific locations in the world. The first was its place of discovery in Franklin Mine in Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey. It was located immediately above the 800 level, about 15 feet into the ore from the hanging wall. The ore mostly consisted of franklinite and willemite and several other minor minerals. The crystals found at this location were up to 6mm in length and were suspected to have grown alongside clinohedrite crystals.

The other location where charlesite has been located is the Wessel's Mine, N' Chwaning Mines, and Kalahari Manganese Fields in Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The Wessel's Mine is thought to be the only source for charlesite to be found in gem quality.

Several of the other recorded places are Germany, Japan, Norway, Romania, and Slovakia.

Uses

Due to its rarity, there are not very many uses for charlesite. Though there is not much of the mineral, one of the major uses for the ones that reach the standards is gems. Due to its softness it will not be found in much jewelry.

Some other uses could be for studying (the reasons for the rarity of the mineral), teaching mineralogy classes, or even items for collectors or museums of rare minerals.

Composition

Element	Percent	Header
Calcium	19.48%	Ca
Aluminum	3.28%	Al
Silicon	1.14%	Si
Boron	.88%	B
Hydrogen	5.23%	H
Sulfur	5.20%	S
Oxygen	64.81%	O

Oxides	Percent
CaO	27.26%
Al2O3	6.19%
SiO2	2.43%
B2O3	2.82%
H2O	46.7%
SO3	12.97%

References

Dunn P.J., Peacor D.R., Leavens P.B., Baum J.L.,1983, American Mineralogist, Charlesite, a new mineral of the ettringite group, New Jersey