Zinnwaldite

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This article is about the mineral. For the color, see Zinnwaldite (color).
Zinnwaldite
Category Phyllosilicate mineral
Chemical formula KLiFeAl(AlSi3)O10(OH,F)2
Identification
Color Light brown to yellowish- or greenish-white
Crystal habit Micaceous, platey scaly masses, pseudo-hexagonal phenocryst tablets
Crystal system Monoclinic
Twinning On composition plane {001}, twin axis [310].
Cleavage Perfect basal {001}
Fracture Uneven
Tenacity Laminae flexible, elastic.
Mohs Scale hardness 3.5 - 4.0
Luster Pearly to vitreous
Refractive index nα = 1.565 - 1.625 nβ = 1.605 - 1.675 nγ = 1.605 - 1.675
Optical Properties Biaxial (-) 2V = 30°
Birefringence 0.040 - 0.050
Pleochroism distinct
Streak White
Specific gravity 2.9 - 3.1
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent

Zinnwaldite, KLiFeAl(AlSi3)O10(OH,F)2, is a potassium lithium iron aluminium silicate hydroxide fluoride silicate mineral in the mica group.

It occurs in greisens, pegmatite and quartz veins often associated with tin ore deposits. Commonly associated with topaz, cassiterite, wolframite, lepidolite, spodumene, beryl, tourmaline and fluorite.

It was first described in 1845 in Zinnwald (now Cinovec), Czech Republic.

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