Manganoblödite

Manganoblödite
General
CategorySulfate mineral
FormulaNa2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O
IMA symbolMblö
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP21/a
Unit cella = 11.14, b = 8.28,
c = 5.54 [Å], β = 100.42° (approximated); Z = 2
Identification
ColorColorless (grains), reddish-pink (aggregates)
Crystal habitAnhedral grains, in aggregates
CleavageNone
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness2.5
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.25 (measured), 2.34 (calculated) (approximated)
Optical propertiesBiaxal (-)
Refractive indexnα=1.50, nβ=1.50, nγ=1.51 (approximated)
Common impuritiesMg, Co, Ni
References

Manganoblödite is a rare manganese mineral with the formula Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O. Somewhat chemically similar mineral is D'Ansite-(Mn). Manganoblödite was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, US, which is known for several relatively new secondary uranium minerals In the mine, manganoblödite occurs intimately intergrown with manganese-, cobalt- and nickel-enriched blödite and a yet another new mineral - cobaltoblödite. Manganoblödite, as suggested by its name is a manganese-analogue of blödite. It is also analogous to changoite, cobaltoblödite and nickelblödite - all three are members of the blödite group.