Ruizite
| Ruizite | |
|---|---|
Clusters of ruizite on calcite from South Africa | |
| General | |
| Category | Sorosilicate |
| Formula | Ca2Mn2Si4O11(OH)4·2H2O |
| IMA symbol | Rz |
| Strunz classification | 9.BJ.35 |
| Dana classification | 57.2.2.1 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/c |
| Unit cell | a = 11.95 Å, b = 6.17 Å c = 9.03 Å, β = 91.37°; Z = 4 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Orange, red-brown |
| Twinning | Common on {100} |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5 |
| Streak | Apricot |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.663 nβ = 1.715 nγ = 1.734 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.071 |
| 2V angle | 60° |
| References | |
Ruizite is a sorosilicate mineral with formula Ca2Mn2Si4O11(OH)4·2H2O. It was discovered at the Christmas mine in Christmas, Arizona, and described in 1977. The mineral is named for discoverer Joe Ana Ruiz.