Lópezite
| Lopezite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate minerals (chromate) |
| Formula (repeating unit) | K2Cr2O7 |
| Strunz classification | 7.FD.05 |
| Dana classification | 35.2.1.1 Anhydrous chromates |
| Crystal system | Triclinic |
| Crystal class | Pinacoidal (1) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P1 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Orange-red, red |
| Crystal habit | Granular or spherical in small crystals on the natural environment. Prismatic on lab grown crystals. |
| Cleavage | Perfect [010] perfect, [100] distinct, [001] distinct |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2+1⁄2 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | Light yellow |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.69 |
| Pleochroism | Visible |
| Solubility | soluble in water |
| Other characteristics | Health risks: contains the carcinogenic and mutagenic chromate ion. |
| References | [1][2] |
Lopezite is a rare red chromate mineral with chemical formula: K2Cr2O7. It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system.[1][2]
It occurs as rare vug fillings in nitrate ores in association with tarapacáite (K2CrO4), and ulexite in the Chilean Atacama and is reported from the Bushveld igneous complex of South Africa.[1][2] Lopezite was first described in 1937 for an occurrence in Iquique Province, Chile and named after Chilean mining engineer Emiliano López Saa (1871–1959).[1]
Most lopezite offered for sale to collectors is artificially produced.[1] Synthetic varieties also exhibit monoclinic crystals.[3]
References[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lópezite. |
Categories:
- Potassium minerals
- Chromate minerals
- Triclinic minerals
- Minerals in space group 2
- Oxide mineral stubs
- Oxide minerals