Nesquehonite

Nesquehonite
General
CategoryCarbonates
FormulaMgCO3·3H2O
IMA symbolNes
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
Colorless crystal aggregates of nesquehonite that have formed alongside smaller crystals of a pale blue mineral.
Colorless crystal aggregates of nesquehonite together with an unknown pale blue mineral, possibly cuprian nesquehonite.
A single acicular crystal of lab grown Nesquehonite under dramatic lighting
A lab grown Nesquehonite crystal formed by slow decomposition of aqueous magnesium bicarbonate.

Nesquehonite is a mineral of magnesium carbonate (MgCO
3). It represents the trihydrate of magnesium carbonate, and has the total formula MgCO3·3H2O. 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. Nesquehonite can form from the related pentahydrate Lansfordite by dehydration at room temperature.

References

  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. 1 2 "Nesquehonite: Mineral information, data and localities". Retrieved 2024-12-04.