Jun 11 2014
Cervantite was named after the first possible place of its occurrence at Cervantes, Spain.
Properties of Cervantite
The following are the key properties of cervantite:
- Cell Data
- Space group: Pna21
- a = 5.43
- b = 4.79
- c = 11.73
- Z = 4
- Crystal Data
- Orthorhombic
- Point group: mm2
- Fine-grained, massive
- X-ray powder pattern: 3.06 (10), 2.91 (7), 1.854 (7), 1.635 (7), 2.70 (6), 2.38 (6), 1.774 (6)
- Optical Properties
- Optical class: Biaxial
- n = 2.0–2.1
- 2V(meas.) = n.d
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density) = 5.67 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of cervantite = 6.50 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PE Cervantite = 267.22 barns/electron
U = PE Cervantite x ρ electron density = 1,513.80 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.0000998995
Boson index = 0.9999001005 |
Radioactivity
|
Cervantite is not radioactive
|
How to Identify Cervantite
Cervantite can be identified in the field by its color variations, such as yellow, yellowish-orange, white, and cream. Its transparent to translucent form has {001} perfect cleavage. This mineral has a vitreous-pearly luster, with light yellow streak. The fracture on this mineral is conchoidal.
The density of cervantite is 6.4 to 6.6 g/cm3, with a hardness of 4 to 5 - between fluorite and apatite.
Global Distribution
Cervantite is distributed in the following places:
- Serbia - Zajaca-Stolice district, Brasina
- Romania - At Baia Sprie (Felsobanya)
- Germany - At the Clara Mine, near Oberwolfach, Black Forest
- Italy - In the Cetine mine, 20km south-west of Siena, and the Pereta mine, Scansano, Tuscany
- Bolivia - From Pocca
Occurrence of Cervantite and Useful Mineral Association
Cervantite occurs in a secondary mineral, formed from the oxidation of stibnite.
It is often associated with minerals such as stibnite.
References