Caresite (TL) [Fe42+Al2(CO3)(OH)12 · 3H2O]

Caresite has just been described in a belated Canadian Mineralogist.
It is a rare species at MSH.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

 

  • Color is usually green-brown.

 

  • Luster is vitreous.

 

  • Diaphaneity: transparent.

 

  • Crystal System is hexagonal; P3112 or P3212 .

 

  • Crystal Habits include tabular to prismatic crystals, barrel-shaped
    to 0.5mm.

 

  • Cleavage {001} is perfect.

 

  • Fracture is (?).

 

  • Hardness is ~ 2.

 

  • Specific Gravity is approximately 2.59 g/cm3.

 

  • Streak is white.

 

  • Associated Minerals include aegirine, analcime and microcline.

 

  • Distinguishing Features: Crystal habits.

 

  • Origin: Named in 1992 after Steve Cares (b. 1909) and Janet Cares
    (b. 1921), American amateur mineralogists who found the mineral.

 

 

Dana class # 16b.6.4.3 – Carbonates; carbonates containing hydroxyl or halogen
Strunz class # V/E.2-7 – Nitrates, carbonates & borates;
water-bearing carbonates with unfamiliar anions, manasseite group