Leucophoenicite
| Leucophoenicite | |
|---|---|
Leucophoenicite from the Wessels Mine in Kuruman, South Africa. | |
| General | |
| Category | Nesosilicates |
| Formula | Mn7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| IMA symbol | Lpo |
| Strunz classification | 9.AF.60 |
| Dana classification | 52.3.2c.2 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/a |
| Unit cell | a = 10.84 Å b = 4.82 Å c = 11.32 Å β = 103.93°; Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Cleavage | Imperfect on {001} |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5.5 to 6 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (−) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.751 nβ = 1.771 nγ = 1.782 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.031 |
| Pleochroism | Faint; rose-red ∥ {001} Colorless ⊥ {001} |
| 2V angle | 74° (measured) |
| Ultraviolet fluorescence | Non-fluorescent |
| References | |
Leucophoenicite is a mineral with formula Mn7(SiO4)3(OH)2. Generally brown to red or pink in color, the mineral gets its name from the Greek words meaning "pale purple-red". Leucophoenicite was discovered in New Jersey, US and identified as a new mineral in 1899.