Sanguite

Sanguite is a halide mineral. It is named after the Latin word sanguis, meaning blood, due to its bright red colouration. It was approved as a valid species by the International Mineralogical Association in 2013.

Sanguite
General
CategoryHalides
Formula
(repeating unit)
KCuCl₃
IMA symbolSgu
Crystal systemmonoclinic
Crystal class2/m
Space group2/ m - prismatic
Unit cellV = 481.38 ų
Identification
Colorbright red
Twinningpolysynthetic twinning has been observed.
CleavagePerfect
Fracturestaggered, step-like
Tenacityfragile
LusterVitreous
Streakreddish orange
Density2.86(1) g/cm³ (measured); 2.88 g/cm³ (calculated)
Optical propertiesbiaxial
Refractive indexn α = 1.653(3) n β = 1.780(6) n γ = 1.900(8)
Birefringenceδ = 0.247
Pleochroismstrong
2V angleMeasured: 85° (5) Calculated: 82°
Dispersionvery strong
References[1]

Characteristics

Sanguite is a chloride with the chemical formula KCuCl3. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and has a Mohs scale hardness of 3.

Formation and deposition

Sanguite was discovered in the Glavnaya Tenoritovaya fumarole on the Tolbachik Volcano in Kamchatka Krai, Russia, the only place on Earth where it is known to form.[1] There it forms in clusters or crusts as fine prismatic crystals up to 1 mm long and 0.2 mm thick.

References

  1. "Sanguite". Mindat.org. June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.The map of localities is at the bottom of the page, showing it is only known to form on Tolbachik.
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