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Sampleite

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Sampleite
General
CategoryPhosphate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)		NaCaCu5(PO4)4Cl•5(H2O)
IMA symbolSmp
Strunz classification8.DG.05
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP21/n or P21/c
Unit cella = 9.7 Å, b = 38.4 Å
c = 9.65 Å; β = 90.07°; Z = 4
Identification
Formula mass875.95 g/mol
ColorLight blue to blue-green
Crystal habitAggregates, lath, rosette
CleavagePerfect on {010}; good on {100} and {001}
Mohs scale hardness4
LusterPearly
StreakLight Blue
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity3.2
Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)
Refractive indexnα = 1.629 nβ = 1.677 nγ = 1.679
Birefringenceδ = 0.050
PleochroismX = deep blue, blue-green; Y = light blue, turquoise blue; Z = turquoise-blue, colorless
2V angleMeasured: 5° to 23°
References

Sampleite has a general formula of NaCaCu5(PO4)4Cl·5(H2O). It was first described in 1942 for an occurrence in Chuquicamata, Chile and was named after Mat Sample, a mine superintendent for the Chile Exploration Company.

Sampleite is monoclinic. It belongs to the space group P21/n or P21/c. In a thin section it has a high surface relief and will have sharp boundaries with the surrounding medium. Sampleite is anisotropic and has visible pleochroism and birefringence.

It is characteristically found in earthy crusts in a highly sericitized rock and is present in highly oxidized conditions near the surface. When it occurs as micaceous rosettes and aggregates it can be associated with dendrites of manganese and iron oxides. Sampleite appears to be the most recent mineral deposited with the exception of gypsum.

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. Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ Mindat.org
  4. ^ Webmineral data
  5. Mineralienatlas
  6. Campbell, T.J., Rapp, G.R., Roberts, W.L. (1990) Encyclopedia of Minerals (2nd Edition) 753 p. Library of Congress Cataloging, Washington D.C.
  7. Hulbert, C.S. "Sampleite A New Mineral." http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM27/AM27_586.pdf. Retrieved 2010-11-11
  8. "Sampleite Mineraology." http://www.wolframalpha.com/entities/minerals/sampleite/fx/0q/75/. Retrieved 2010-11-28

External links

Media related to Sampleite at Wikimedia Commons


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