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Skorpionite

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Skorpion Mine, Rosh Pinah, Lüderitz District, Karas Region, Namibia
© Knut Eldjarn

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Formula:
Ca
 
3
Zn
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|CO
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:colourless
Hardness:3½
Name:For the type locality at the Skorpion Mine, Rosh Pinah, Lüderitz District, Karas Region, Namibia.


May be confused with sword-shaped crystals of scholzite.

Classification of Skorpionite

IMA status:Approved 2005
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.DO.45

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
O : With CO3, SO4, SiO4
Dana 8th edition ID:43.5.20.

43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
5 : Hydrated Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
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Type Occurrence of Skorpionite

Type Locality:Skorpion Mine, Rosh Pinah, Lüderitz District, Karas Region, Namibia
General Appearance of Type Material:colourless needle-like crystals elongated parallel to [001]
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Mineralogical Institute, University of Bochum, Germany
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TarbuttiteHydrozinciteGypsum

Physical Properties of Skorpionite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:colourless
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):3.15(3) g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.17 g/cm3

Crystallography of Skorpionite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/b {B1 1 2/b} {C2/c} {C1 2/c 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 19.042(2) Å, b = 9.309(1) Å, c = 6.519(1) Å
β = 92.72(1)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.046 : 1 : 0.7
Unit Cell Volume:V 1154.3 ų
Z:4
Morphology:Bladed, sword-shaped.
Comment:refined from X-ray powder data

Optical Data of Skorpionite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.588(10) nβ = 1.645 nγ = 1.646(10)
2V:Measured: 15.0° (5)
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.057

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

Chemical Properties of Skorpionite

Formula:
Ca
 
3
Zn
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|CO
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, Ca, H, O, P, Zn
All elements listed in formula:C, Ca, H, O, P, Zn

Relationship of Skorpionite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.DO.05Girvasite
NaCa
 
2
Mg
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|CO
 
3
|H
 
2
PO
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 4H
 
2
O
8.DO.10Voggite
Na
 
2
Zr[OH|CO
 
3
|PO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
8.DO.15Peisleyite
Na
 
3
Al
 
16
[SO
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
5
]
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
8.DO.20Perhamite
(Ca,Sr)
 
3
Al
 
7.7
Si
 
3
P
 
4
O
 
23.5
(OH)
 
14.1
·8H
 
2
O
8.DO.25Saryarkite-(Y)
Ca(Y,Th)Al
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
7
·6H
 
2
O
8.DO.30Micheelsenite
(Ca,Y)
 
3
Al(PO
 
3
OH,CO
 
3
)(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
6
·12H
 
2
O
8.DO.40Parwanite
(Na,K)(Mg,Ca)
 
4
Al
 
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
8
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
7
·30H
 
2
O

Other Names for Skorpionite

Synonyms:
IMA2005-010
Other Languages:
German:Skorpionit

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 Skorpionite

Reference List:Borg, G., Karner, K., Buxton, M., Armstrong, R., Schalk van der Merwe, W. (2003): Geology of the Skorpion supergene zinc deposit, southern Namibia. Economic Geology, 98, 749-771.

Jahn, S. (2007): Tarbuttit von der Skorpion Zink Mine, Namibia. Mineralien-Welt 18 (4), 56-66. (in German)

Krause, W., et al. (2008): Skorpionite, a new mineral from Namibia: description and crystal structure. Eur. J. Mineralogy 20, 271-280.

Internet Links for Skorpionite

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    Localities for Skorpionite

    (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.
    Namibia
     
    • Karas Region
      • Lüderitz District
        • Rosh Pinah
    		Krause, W., et al.: "Skorpionite, a new mineral from Namibia: description and crystal structure", Eur. J. Mineralogy 20, 271-280 (2008); Borg, G., Karner, K., Buxton, M., Armstrong, R., Schalk van der Merwe, W. (2003): Geology of the Skorpion supergene zinc deposit, southern Namibia. Economic Geology, 98, 749-771.; Jahn, S. (2007): Tarbuttit von der Skorpion Zink Mine, Namibia. Mineralien-Welt 18 (4), 56-66. (in German)
    Mineral and/or Locality
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