Legrandite

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Legrandite

Yellow radiating prismatic crystals on limonite
General
Category Mineral
Chemical formula Zn2(AsO4)(OH)ยท(H2O)
Identification
Color Yellow or yellowish orange to colourless
Crystal habit Crystalline, prismatic
Crystal system Monoclinic
Cleavage Imperfect, poor in one direction
Fracture Brittle, conchoidal
Mohs Scale hardness 4.5-5
Refractive index 1.675-1.74
Streak White
Specific gravity 4.0

Legrandite is a rare arsenate mineral, discovered in 1934 and named after the Belgian mining engineer Legrande. Chemically, it is a hydrated zinc arsenate hydroxide, found as a secondary mineral in zinc ores, often in association with limonite. The most notable source of the mineral is the now abandoned Ojuela mine in Durango, Mexico. It is highly praised for its vitreous rich yellow colour and is a desirable item among mineral collectors.

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