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Wegscheiderite

Big Photo

Alluaiv Mt, Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
© 2008, J. Weissman

Formula:
Na
 
5
H
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
System:TriclinicColour:Colourless
Lustre:VitreousHardness:2½ - 3
Name:
Named after Rudolf Wegscheider (1859-1935), Austrian chemist who, in 1913, first produced the synthetic compound.
This page provides mineralogical data about Wegscheiderite.

Classification of Wegscheiderite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/B.01-60
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.AA.30

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
A : Alkali carbonates
Dana 8th edition ID:13.1.6.1

13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.1.4

11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
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Type Occurrence of Wegscheiderite

Type Locality:Perkins Well No. 1, Green River Formation, Sweetwater Co., Wyoming, USA
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian 117710
Year of Discovery:1961
Geological Setting of type material:Lacustrine deposits

Physical Properties of Wegscheiderite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Colourless
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
Distinct prismatic cleavage
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.341 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.334 g/cm3

Crystallography of Wegscheiderite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 10.04(3) Å, b = 15.56(4) Å, c = 3.466(10) Å
α = 91.92°, β = 95.82°, γ = 108.67°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.645 : 1 : 0.223
Unit Cell Volume:V 509.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Acicular to bladed crystals to 5cm, fibrous, aggregates.

Optical Data of Wegscheiderite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.433 nβ = 1.519 nγ = 1.528
2V:Measured: 32° , Calculated: 34°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.095

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:weak r < v

Chemical Properties of Wegscheiderite

Formula:
Na
 
5
H
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
Essential elements:C, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:C, H, Na, O

Relationship of Wegscheiderite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.AA.05Zabuyelite
Li
 
2
CO
 
3
5.AA.10Natrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
5.AA.10Gregoryite
(Na
 
2
,K
 
2
,Ca)CO
 
3
5.AA.15Nahcolite
NaHCO
 
3
5.AA.20Kalicinite
KHCO
 
3
5.AA.25Teschemacherite
(NH
 
4
)HCO
 
3
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
11.1.1Zabuyelite
Li
 
2
CO
 
3
11.1.2Natrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
11.1.3Nahcolite
NaHCO
 
3
11.1.5Thermonatrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
11.1.6Trona
Na
 
3
H(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
11.1.7Natron
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·10H
 
2
O
11.1.8Kalicinite
KHCO
 
3
11.1.9Shortite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
11.1.10Nyerereite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.11Natrofairchildite
11.1.12Zemkorite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.13Pirssonite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
11.1.14Gaylussite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·5H
 
2
O
11.1.15Baylissite
K
 
2
Mg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
11.1.16Fairchildite
K
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.17Bütschliite
K
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.18Teschemacherite
(NH
 
4
)HCO
 
3

Other Names for Wegscheiderite

Other Languages:
German:Wegscheiderit
Russian:Вегшайдерит
Spanish:Wegscheiderita

Other Information

Other Information: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 Wegscheiderite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1963): 48: 400-403.

Acta Crystallographica: B46: 466-474.

Internet Links for Wegscheiderite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Wegscheiderite

    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.
    China
     
    • Henan Province
      • Nanyang Prefecture
        • Tongbai Co.
    		Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
    		www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/lovo.htm
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Rio Blanco Co.
        • Piceance Basin
          • Green River Formation
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    • Utah
      • Duchesne Co.
    		http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2002AM/finalprogram/abstract_45510.htm.
    • Wyoming
      • Sweetwater Co.
        • Green River Formation
    		Am Min 48:400-403; Am Min 48:400-403
    Amer.Min.(1963) 48, 400-403
    Am Min 48:400-403; Am Min 48:400-403
    Mineral and/or Locality
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