Putnisite

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Putnisite
Putnisite.jpg
Putnisite, from Polar Bear Peninsula, Western Australia, Australia
General
Category Mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
SrCa4Cr83+(CO3)8(SO4)(OH)16·25 H2O
IMA symbol Pni [1]
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group Pnma
Unit cell a = 15.351 Å,
b = 20.421 Å,
c = 18.270 Å; Z = 4
Identification
ColorPurple
Crystal habit Pseudocubic crystals
Cleavage [100], [010] and [001] good
Fracture Brittle – uneven
Mohs scale hardness1.5–2
Luster Vitreous
Streak Pink
Diaphaneity Translucent
Specific gravity 2.20
Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)
Refractive index nα = 1.552, nβ = 1.583 and nγ = 1.599
Pleochroism Distinct: X pale bluish grey, Y pale purple, Z pale purple
References [2] [3] [4] [5]

Putnisite is a mineral composed of strontium, calcium, chromium, sulfur, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. [4] It was discovered on the Polar Bear Peninsula in Shire of Dundas, Western Australia in 2007 during mining activity. [4] [5] Following identification and recognition by the IMA in 2012 [5] the mineral was named after mineralogists Andrew and Christine Putnis. [3]

Putnisite has unique chemical and structural properties, and does not appear to be related to any of the existing mineralogical families. [3] Crystals are translucent purple, but show distinct pleochroism (from pale purple to pale bluish grey, [4] depending on the angle of observation) and leave pink streaks when rubbed on a flat surface. [4]

Putnisite occurs as small (< 0.5 mm) cube-like crystals in volcanic rock. [3] The mineral formed during the oxidation environment within komatiite to dioritic bodies containing sulfide minerals. [4]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motukoreaite</span> Mineral

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diaboleite</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wöhlerite</span> Silicate mineral

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References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi: 10.1180/mgm.2021.43 . S2CID   235729616.
  2. Mineralienatlas
  3. 1 2 3 4 "New Mineral Shows Nature's Infinite Variability". University of Adelaide. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Elliott, P. (February 2014). "Putnisite" . Mineralogical Magazine. 78 (1): 131–144. doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.1.10. S2CID   102242056 . Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "Putnisite: Putnisite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2014-04-29.