Fleischerite

Last updated
Fleischerite
General
CategorySulfate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Pb3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O
IMA symbol fsh
Strunz classification 7.DF.25
Dana classification 31.07.06.03 (hydrated silicates containing hydroxyl or halogen)
Crystal system Hexagonal
Identification
ColorWhite, light reddish-pink
Crystal habit Accicular
Tenacity brittle
Mohs scale hardness2.5-3
Luster Sub-vitreous, silky
Streak White
Density 4.3
Birefringence 0.029
Pleochroism Non-pleochroic

Fleischerite is a type of mineral. Named after Michael Fleischer, a co-founder of the International Mineralogical Association. [1] Recognized in 1960. Has its own group made of itself, schaurteite, despujolsite, mallestigite, and genplesite. [2] It is often confused with dundasite.

Contents

Occurrence

Fleischerite is found only in Tsumeb (Ongopolo) Mine, Namibia. It forms in oxidized portions of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal germanium-bearing polymetallic ore deposits. [3] The oldest samples are estimated to be 541 million years old. [4]

Appearance

Very thin, up to 1.5 cm in length crystals with a tender reddish hue that form sheets of subparallel individuals or hedgehog-like aggregates. [5]

Paragenesis with other minerals

  1. When fleischerite, cerussite, and mimetite cover a tennantite matrix, they create a rounded, matte white concretion.
  2. When a dolostone core is covered with plumbojarosite and mimetite, which give it a greenish hue, fleischerite grows on top of them all.
  3. Rarely, fleischerite enters paragenesis with alamosite, anglesite, hematite, leadhillite, melanotekite, mimetite, kegelite, larsenite, plumbojarosite, plumbotsumite and queitite.
  4. Fleischerite also may have paragenesis with other secondary germanium minerals. [5]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tsumeb</span> City in Oshikoto Region, Namibia

Tsumeb is a city of around 35,000 inhabitants and the largest town in the Oshikoto region in northern Namibia. Tsumeb is known as the "gateway to the north" of Namibia. It is the closest town to the Etosha National Park. Tsumeb used to be the regional capital of Oshikoto until 2008, when Omuthiya was proclaimed a town and the new capital. The area around Tsumeb forms its own electoral constituency and has a population of 44,113. The town is the site of a deep mine that in its heyday was known as "TCL", but has since been renamed the Ongopolo Mine.

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References

  1. "Fleischerite". mindat.org. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  2. "The Fleischerite Group of Minerals | Fred Haynes". 2016-12-14. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  3. "Fleischerite Mineral Data". webmineral.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  4. "Dynamic Earth Collection - About". dynamicearthcollection.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  5. 1 2 "fleischerite". mingen.hk. Retrieved 2024-12-05.