Cobaltoblödite
| Cobaltoblödite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate mineral |
| Formula | Na2Co(SO4)2·4H2O |
| IMA symbol | Cblö |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/a |
| Unit cell | a = 11.15, b = 8.27, c = 5.54 [Å], β=100.52° (approximated); Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Colorless (grains), reddish-pink (aggregates) |
| Crystal habit | Anhedral grains, in aggregates, forming crusts |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.29 (measured), 2.35 (calculated) (approximated) |
| Optical properties | Biaxal (-) |
| Refractive index | nα=1.50, nβ=1.50, nγ=1.51 (approximated) |
| References | |
Cobaltoblödite is a rare cobalt mineral with the formula Na2Co(SO4)2·4H2O. Cobaltoblödite was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, which is known for secondary uranium minerals. Cobaltoblödite occurs intimately intergrown with manganese-, cobalt- and nickel-enriched blödite and a yet another new mineral - manganoblödite. Cobaltoblödite, as suggested by its name is a cobalt-analogue of blödite. It is also analogous to changoite, manganoblödite and nickelblödite - other members of the blödite group.