Mineral - Dolomite
Dolomite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Carbonates
Toxicity
none
Formula
CaMg[CO₃]₂
Unit Cell
a=4.81 c=16.02 Z=3
Physical Properties
Hardness
3.5 - 4
Streak
white
Density
Normal (2-3,5)
Cleavage
Perfect after {10 1 1}
Fracture
conchoidal,
uneven
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
whitebrownyellowviolet
Birefringence
0.179
Luster
Vitreous,
Pearly
Transparency
translucent,
transparent,
opaque
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
trigonal
Point Group
rhombohedral - 3
Space Group
R 3 (148)
Habit
Rhombohedron
Formation
Precipitation from sea water, hydrothermal
Paragenesis
Twinning
Contact twins after {10 1 0}, {11 2 1} and {0001}
Rarity
Very common
Synonyms
Dolomite
Composition
Elements
Mass
CO₂
47.22
SiO₂
0.12
FeO
0.22
MgO
21.12
CaO
31.27
H₂O
0.02
Canada (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Dolomite-Group