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Lorettoite

Formula:
Pb
 
7
O
 
6
Cl
 
2
System:OrthorhombicColour:Honey-yellow, yellow, ...
Hardness:2½ - 3
Name:After the locality of Loretto, Tennessee, USA.


Shown to be man-made material (White, 1979). Subsequently identified to occur in additional locations.
Can be confused with asisite.

Originally reported from both Loretto, Lawrence Co., Tennessee, USA and
Pick's Delta Mine (Delta Mine; Pick's Mine), Delta, San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell), Emery Co., Utah, USA.
See also chubutite (now considered a synonym of lorettoite).


Classification of Lorettoite

IMA status:Discredited 1979
Dana 8th edition ID:10.5.12.1

10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
5 : Am(O,OH)pXq
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Physical Properties of Lorettoite

Lustre:Adamantine
Colour:Honey-yellow, yellow, reddish yellow
Streak:Yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Density (measured):7.39 - 7.95 g/cm3

Crystallography of Lorettoite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic

Optical Data of Lorettoite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 2.400 nε = 2.330
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.070

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

Chemical Properties of Lorettoite

Formula:
Pb
 
7
O
 
6
Cl
 
2
Essential elements:Cl, O, Pb
All elements listed in formula:Cl, O, Pb

Other Names for Lorettoite

Synonyms:
Chubutite
Other Languages:
German:Chubutit
Chubuttit
Lorettoit
Spanish:Chubutita
Chubuttita
Lorettoita

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in hot dilute nitric acid. Dissolves more slowly in HCl and H2SO4. Not appreciably soluble in water.
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 Lorettoite

Reference List:Wells and Larsen (1916) Journal of the Washington Academy of Science: 6: 669.

Corti (1918) Anales soc. quim. argentina: 6: 65 (as Chubutite).

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Seventh edition, Volume II: 56.

White, J. S. (1979): Lorettoite discredited and chubutite reviewed. Am. Mineral. 64, 1303-1305.

Lapis (1986): 11: 25.

Internet Links for Lorettoite

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  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
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    Localities for Lorettoite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    Argentina
     
    • Chubut
    		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: 56.
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
    		Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet and Rewitzer, Christian, Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags; Schnorrer-Köhler, G. (1986): Neufunde in den Schlacken von Lavrion. LAPIS 11 (6), 25-29
    Namibia
     
    • Otjozondjupa Region
      • Grootfontein District
        • Kombat
    		Red asisite from the Kombat Mine has been erroneously sold as "chubutite" or "lorettoite". ; Red asisite from the Kombat Mine has been erroneously sold as "chubutite" or "lorettoite".
    USA
     
    • Tennessee
      • Lawrence Co.
    		Palache et al (1944), Dana's System of Mineralogy, 7th. ed., vol. II: 56.
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
          • Delta
    		[Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index", p407]
    Mineral and/or Locality
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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: 19th Nov 2009 11:21:43