Desautelsite

General Information:
 Chemical Formula:
Mg6Mn+++2(CO3)(OH)16·4(H2O)
 Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 659.89 gm)
Magnesium 22.10 % Mg
Manganese 16.65 % Mn
Hydrogen 3.67 % H 
Carbon 1.82 % C 
Oxygen 55.76 % O 
 Empirical Formula:
Mg6Mn2+2(CO3)(OH)16·4(H2O)
 Environment:
Imbedded in brucite and in serpentinites.
 IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1979
 Locality:
TL: Cedar Hill Quarry, Lancaster County, Pennsyvania, USA. Artinite locality and old talc prospect, 1 mile NE of Paicacho Peak, San Benito Co. California.
 Name Origin:
Named after Paul E. Desautels (1920-1991), curator of minerals at the U. S. National Museum of Natural History (Smithstonian Institution).
Physical Properties:
 Cleavage:
[0001] Perfect
 Color:
bright orange.
 Density:
2.13
 Diaphaniety:
Transparent
 Habits:
Euhedral Crystals - Occurs as well-formed crystals showing good external form., Pseudo Hexagonal - Crystals show a hexagonal outline.,
 Hardness:
2 - Gypsum
 Luminescence:
Non-fluorescent.
 Luster:
Pearly
 Streak:
light orange
More details...