Skorpionite Explained

Skorpionite
Category:	Phosphate mineral
Formula:	Ca3Zn2(PO4)2CO3(OH)2·H2O
Imasymbol:	Skr^[1]
Strunz:	8.DO.45
Dana:	43.5.20.
System:	Monoclinic
Class:	Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol)
Symmetry:	B2/b
Unit Cell:	a = 19.042 Å, b = 9.309 Å c = 6.519 Å; β = 92.72°; Z = 4
Color:	colorless
Habit:	needle-like crystals elongated parallel to [001]; bladed, sword-shaped
Fracture:	irregullar/ uneven
Tenacity:	brittle
Luster:	vitreous
Streak:	white
Diaphaneity:	transparent
Density:	3.15 g/cm^3
Opticalprop:	Biaxial (-)
Refractive:	nα = 1.588 nβ = 1.645 nγ = 1.646
Birefringence:	δ = 0.057
2V:	15.0° (measured)
References:	^[2] ^[3]

Skorpionite (IMA2005-010) is a zinc phosphate mineral with chemical formula Ca₃Zn₂(PO₄)₂CO₃(OH)₂·H₂O, originally found in the Skorpion Mine and named after it (Rosh Pinah, Lüderitz district, ǁKaras Region, Namibia).

Notes and References

1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3. 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43. 2021MinM...85..291W. 235729616. free.
2. Web site: Skorpionite: Skorpionite mineral information and data. . mindat.org. 2015-11-25.
3. Encyclopedia: Skorpionite . Handbook of Mineralogy . John W. . Anthony. Richard A. . Bideaux. Kenneth W. . Bladh. Monte C. . 3 . Nichols . Mineralogical Society of America. Chantilly, VA . 1990–2013.