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Nesquehonite

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Nesquehonite
General
CategoryCarbonates
Formula
(repeating unit)
MgCO3·3H2O
IMA symbolNes[1]
Strunz classification5.CA.05
Dana classification13.1.5.1
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Space groupP21/m
Unit cella=7.705 Å, b=5.367 Å, c=12.121 Å, β=90.451°
Identification
ColourColourless
CleavagePerfect
Mohs scale hardness2.5
LusterVitreous (if fresh)
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Specific gravity1.824-1.854
Density1.6
Birefringence0.114

Nesquehonite is a mineral of magnesium carbonate (MgCO
3
). It represents the trihydrate of magnesium carbonate, and has the total formula MgCO3·3H2O .[2] It was described in 1890 by F. A. Genth and S. L. Penfield and is named after its type locality of Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, where it was sampled from a coal mine.[2] Nesquehonite can form from the related pentahydrate Lansfordite by dehydration at room temperature.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b "Nesquehonite: Mineral information, data and localities". Retrieved 2024-12-04.