Minrecordite | |
Category: | Carbonate minerals Dolomite group |
Formula: | CaZn(CO3)2 |
Imasymbol: | Mrd[1] |
Strunz: | 5.AB.10 |
System: | Trigonal |
Class: | Rhomboehedral |
Color: | White, colourless |
Habit: | Typically rhombohedral crystals saddle-shaped, twisted |
Cleavage: | Very good on [10-14] |
Mohs: | 3.5–4 |
Luster: | Pearly |
Streak: | White |
Gravity: | 3.45 |
Diaphaneity: | Translucent |
References: | [2] [3] [4] |
Minrecordite, CaZn(CO3)2, is a very rare mineral belonging to the dolomite group, the member with Ca and Zn. It was discovered, associated with dioptase, in a specimen from the Tsumeb mine (Namibia), which is consequently its type locality. Its name is a tribute to The Mineralogical Record magazine, representing the collaboration between professional and amateur mineralogists.[5] In this locality it is associated primarily with dioptase, and less frequently with duftite, calcite and malachite.[6] It is a rare mineral, which has been found only in a few deposits in the world. In addition to the type locality, it appears in the Preguiça mine, in Moura, district of Beja (Portugal).[7]