Mineral - Benstonite
Benstonite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Carbonates
Toxicity
middle
Formula
Ba₆Ca₆Mg(CO₃)₁₃
Unit Cell
a=18.28 c=8.65 Z=3
Physical Properties
Hardness
3 - 4
Streak
white
Density
Heavy (3,5-6)
Cleavage
Distinct after {31 4 2}
Fracture
Tenacity
Optical Properties
Color
whiteyellowcolorless
Birefringence
0.163
Luster
Vitreous
Transparency
translucent,
transparent
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
trigonal
Point Group
rhombohedral - 3
Space Group
R 3 (148)
Habit
leafy, stalactitic, tabular
Formation
In hydrothermal Baryte veins
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Very rare
Synonyms
Benstonite
Composition
Elements
Mass
CO₂
31.35
MnO
0.35
MgO
1.69
USA (Lippmann 1962)