Carlosruizite
| Carlosruizite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate mineral |
| Formula | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10 (SeO4)12(IO3)12 ·12H2O |
| IMA symbol | Crz |
| Strunz classification | 7.DG.40 (10 ed) 6/D.16-60 (8 ed) |
| Dana classification | 23.1.2.2 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Crystal class | Hexagonal scalenohedral (3m) H-M symbol: (3 2/m) |
| Space group | P3c1 |
| Unit cell | a = 9.59 Å, c = 27.56 Å; Z = 2; V = 2,195.11 Å3 |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 4,438.69 g/mol |
| Color | Colorless to pale yellow |
| Crystal habit | Platy – sheet forms (e.g. micas) |
| Cleavage | {110} Good |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5 – 3 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 3.42 |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (−) |
| Refractive index | nε=1.642, nω=1.655 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.013 |
| References | |
Carlosruizite is a sulfate or selenate–iodate mineral with chemical formula: K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SeO4)12(IO3)12·12H2O. It has a low density (specific gravity of 3.36), colorless to pale yellow, transparent mineral which crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system. It forms a series with fuenzalidaite.
It was first discovered in 1994 in the locality of Zapiga, Tarapacá Region of Chile. Its name came from Carlos Ruiz Fuller (1916–1997), founder of the Institute of Geological Investigations.
It is found in samples of iquiqueite leached from caliche amarillo (yellow nitrate ore).