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Chloromagnesite

Formula:
MgCl
 
2
System:HexagonalColour:Colourless, white
Name:In allusion to the composition, containing CHLORine and MAGNESium.
Isostructural with:Lawrencite, Scacchite


Lawrencite Group.

A doubtful species. Natural magnesium chloride is regarded as very unlikely.

Classification of Chloromagnesite

IMA status:Questionable/Doubtful
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/A.07-05
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.AB.20

3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
Dana 8th edition ID:9.2.3.3

9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
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Type Occurrence of Chloromagnesite

Type Locality:Mt. Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SylviteHalite

Physical Properties of Chloromagnesite

Colour:Colourless, white
Density (measured):2.325 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.44 g/cm3

Crystallography of Chloromagnesite

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Morphology:Sublimate.

Optical Data of Chloromagnesite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.675 nε = 1.590
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.085

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate

Chemical Properties of Chloromagnesite

Formula:
MgCl
 
2
Essential elements:Cl, Mg
All elements listed in formula:Cl, Mg
Analytical Data:Deliquescent. Very soluble in water.

Relationship of Chloromagnesite to other Species

Member of Group:
Lawrencite Group:
AX
 
2
where A = Fe, Mn, Mg, Cu and X = Cl
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.AB.05Tolbachite
CuCl
 
2
3.AB.10Coccinite
HgI
 
2
3.AB.15Sellaite
MgF
 
2
3.AB.20Lawrencite
(Fe
2+
 
,Ni)Cl
 
2
3.AB.20Scacchite
MnCl
 
2
3.AB.25Fluorite
CaF
 
2
3.AB.25Frankdicksonite
BaF
 
2
3.AB.25IMA2009-014
SrF
 
2
3.AB.30Tveitite-(Y)
(Y, Na)
 
6
Ca
 
6
Ca
 
6
F
 
42
3.AB.35Gagarinite-(Y)
NaCaY(F,Cl)
 
6
3.AB.35Zajacite-(Ce)
Na(REE
 
x
Ca
 
1-x
)(REE
 
y
Ca
 
1-y
)F
 
6
3.AB.35IMA2009-015
NaSrCeF
 
6

Other Names for Chloromagnesite

Synonyms:
Cloromagnesite
Other Languages:
German:Chloromagnesit
Cloromagnesit
Italian:Cloruro di Magnesio
Magnesia muriata
Russian:Хлоромагнезит
Spanish:Chloromagnesita
Cloromagnesita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Chloromagnesite

Reference List:Monticelli and Covelli (1925) (as Magnesia muriata).

Scacchi (1855) Mem. Incend. Vesuv.: 181 (as Cloruro di Magnesio).

Scacchi (1875) Acc. Napoli, Att.: 6, no. 9, 43.

Hüttig (1921) Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, Hamburg, Leipzig: 115: 251.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 57.

Pauling (1929) Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Washington: 15: 709.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 41.

Internet Links for Chloromagnesite

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    Localities for Chloromagnesite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 41.
    USA
     
    • Virginia
    Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 7th Nov 2009 17:46:29