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Mineralati

Minerals

Aerinite

aerinite

(Ca,Na)6(Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺,Mg,Al)4(Al,Mg)6Si12O36(OH)12(CO3)·12H2O

Rare Raw Aerinite Specimen: Lleida Spain Mineral Collection (4/4cm) - Etsy

Rare Raw Aerinite Specimen: Lleida Spain Mineral Collection (4/4cm) - Etsy — via www.etsy.com · Source

Overview

Aerinite (Ca4(Al,Fe,Mg)10Si12O35(OH)12CO3·12H2O) is a bluish-purple inosilicate mineral. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and occurs as fibrous or compact masses and coatings. It has a dark, vitreous luster, a specific gravity of 2.48 and a Mohs hardness of 3. It is a low-temperature hydrothermal phase occurring in zeolite facies alteration of dolerites. Associated minerals include prehnite, scolecite and mesolite. Its name comes from a Greek root "aerinos," meaning "atmosphere" or "sky blue". It was first described by Lasaulx (1876) from a specimen in the Wrocław museum that was obtained in Aragon, Spain. In 1882, the geologist Luis Mariano Vidal found the mineral in situ in Caserras del Castillo, a locality that currently belongs to the municipality of Estopiñán del Castillo, in Huesca (Spain).

Identification characteristics

  • Mohs hardness 3

Scientific references

  1. Aerinite — Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q381133 Link
  2. Aerinite — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerinite Link