Lópezite
Lópezite is a rare red chromate mineral with chemical formula: K2Cr2O7. It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system.
| Lópezite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate minerals (chromate) |
| Formula (repeating unit) | K2Cr2O7 |
| IMA symbol | Lpz |
| Strunz classification | 7.FD.05 |
| Dana classification | 35.2.1.1 Anhydrous chromates |
| Crystal system | Triclinic |
| Crystal class | Pinacoidal (1) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P1 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Orange-red, red |
| Crystal habit | Granular or spherical in small crystals on the natural environment. Prismatic on lab grown crystals. |
| Cleavage | Perfect [010] perfect, [100] distinct, [001] distinct |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2+1⁄2 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | Light yellow |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.69 |
| Pleochroism | Visible |
| Solubility | soluble in water |
| Other characteristics | Health risks: contains the carcinogenic and mutagenic chromate ion. |
| References | |
It occurs as rare vug fillings in nitrate ores in association with tarapacáite (K2CrO4), dietzeite and ulexite in the Chilean Atacama and is reported from the Bushveld igneous complex of South Africa. Lópezite was first described in 1937 for an occurrence in Iquique Province, Chile and named after Chilean mining engineer Emiliano López Saa (1871–1959).
Most lopezite offered for sale to collectors is artificially produced. Synthetic varieties also exhibit monoclinic crystals.
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