Nesquehonite
Mg(CO3)·3H2OIMA symbol: Nesgrandfathered
Nesquehonite is a carbonate or nitrate mineral with the formula Mg(CO3)·3H2O, crystallizing in the monoclinic system. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5, typically colorless or white in color, with a greasy or vitreous luster, a specific gravity of 2.676. Cleavage is perfect.
Photos
Crystallography
| Crystal system | monoclinic crystal systemWikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Space group | P 1 21/n 1 |
| Cell (Å, °) | a = 7.701, b = 5.365, c = 12.126; α = 90, β = 90.41, γ = 90 |
| Cell volume | 500.983 ų, Z = 4 |
| Axial ratios | 1.4354:1:2.2602calculated from COD 9012401 |
| Source structure | COD 9012401 (Mineralogy and Petrology, 2000) — 1 of 2 structures |
Powder X-ray diffraction (calculated)
| d (Å) | 3.85 | 6.48 | 2.619 | 6.522 | 1.925 | 3.031 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I/I₀ | 100 | 76.1 | 63 | 47.5 | 35.9 | 29.9 |
xrd-v1: CuKa1 1.5406A, 2theta 5-90, top10, Imax=100, no DW/PO. Computed from COD 9012401; idealized occupancies, no preferred orientation.
Physical properties
| Density (calculated) | 1.834 g/cm³calculated from COD 9012401 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 2.5Dana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Specific gravity | 2.676 g/cm3single sourceDana's System, 3rd Appendix (1915) |
| Color | colorless, whitesingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Luster | greasy, vitreoussingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Cleavage | perfectsingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
Chemistry (calculated)
| Molecular weight | 138.36 g/molcalculated from the IMA formula |
|---|---|
| Composition (wt%) | Mg 17.57%, C 8.68%, O 69.38%, H 4.37% |
Classification
| Nickel-Strunz (10th) | 5.CA.05Wikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Nickel-Strunz (9th) | 5.CA.05Wikidata (CC0) |