May 15 2013
Kalinite is a mineral composed of hydrated potassium aluminum sulfate. The mineral was first found in San Bernardino County, California, USA in 1868. It was named for its potassium (kalium) content.
Properties of Kalinite
The following are the key properties of Kalinite:
- Cell Data
- Space Group: C2/c
- a = 19.92(16)
- b = 9.27(3)
- c = 8.304(13)
- β = 98.79(19)°
- Z = 4
- Crystal Data
- Monoclinic
- Point Group: 2/m
- Typically fibrous, in crusts or massive
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 4.80 (100), 4.31 (86), 3.494 (79), 4.12 (71), 4.94 (64), 4.60 (50), 2.679 (29)
- Chemical Composition
| Elements |
Content (%) |
| K |
8.57 |
| Al |
5.91 |
| H |
4.86 |
| S |
14.05 |
| O |
66.61 |
| Total |
100 |
- Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Biaxial (–)
- Orientation: Z = b; Y ^ c = 13°
- Dispersion: Weak
- α = 1.430
- β = 1.452
- γ = 1.458
- 2V(meas.) = 52(1)°
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density)=1.84 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Kalinite =1.76 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PEKalinite = 1.95 barns/electron
U= PEKalinite x ρElectron density= 3.58 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.001
Boson index = 0.998 |
Radioactivity
|
Kalinite is barely detectable
|
How to Identify Kalinite
Kalinite is either colorless or white in color. It is non-fluorescent with a white streak, vitreous luster and transparent appearance. Its fractures developed over the brittle materials are characterized by smooth curved surfaces. It is a water-soluble mineral that can form fibrous crystals. The hardness of kalinite is 2 and its density is 1.76 g/cm3.
Global Distribution
Kalinite is distributed in the following places:
- Mount Wingen, New South Wales, Australia
- Quetena, west of Calama, Antofagasta, Chile
- Turkey Creek, Jefferson Co.,Colorado, USA
- Alum mine, Silver Peak district, Esmeralda Co., Nevada
- Alma pyrite mine, Alameda Co., California
- Lipari Islands and Sicily, Italy
- Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Occurrence of Kalinite and Useful Mineral Association
Kalinite occurs as a volcanic sublimate, efflorescences on alum slates, in caves and rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zone of mineral deposits. It is closely associated with pisanite and jarosite.
References