Saponite
Trioctahedral phyllosilicate mineral / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Saponite is a trioctahedral mineral of the smectite group. Its chemical formula is Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2·n(H2O).[3] It is soluble in sulfuric acid. It was first described in 1840 by Svanberg. Varieties of saponite are griffithite, bowlingite and sobotkite.
Quick Facts General, Category ...
Saponite | |
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General | |
Category | Phyllosilicates Smectite group |
Formula (repeating unit) | Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2·n(H2O) |
IMA symbol | Sap[1] |
Strunz classification | 9.EC.45 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | C2/m |
Unit cell | a = 5.3 Å, b = 9.14 Å c = 16.9 Å; β = 97°; Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Color | White, yellow, red, green, blue |
Crystal habit | Granular – Massive |
Cleavage | {001} perfect |
Tenacity | Brittle dry, plastic when hydrated |
Mohs scale hardness | 1.5 |
Luster | Greasy, dull |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Translucent |
Specific gravity | 2.24–2.30 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (−) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.479 – 1.490 nβ = 1.510 – 1.525 nγ = 1.511 – 1.527 |
Birefringence | δ = 0.032 – 0.037 |
Pleochroism | X = colorless, light yellow to green-brown; Y = Z = colorless, greenish brown to dark brown |
2V angle | Calculated: 20° to 26° |
References | [2][3][4] |
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It is soft, massive, and plastic, and exists in veins and cavities in serpentinite and basalt. The name is derived from the Greek sapo, soap. Other names include bowlingite; mountain soap; piotine; soapstone.