| Hazenite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Phosphate mineral |
| Chemical formula | KNaMg2(PO4)2·14H2O |
| Strunz classification | 08.CH.40 |
| Dana classification | 40.01.01.03 Struvite Group |
| Crystal symmetry | Orthorhombic dipyramidal H–M Symbol (2/m 2/m 2/m) Space Group: Pmnb |
| Unit cell | a = 6.9349 Å, b = 25.1737 Å, c = 11.2189 Å; Z = 4 |
| Identification | |
| Molar mass | 276.331 g/mol |
| Color | Colorless |
| Crystal habit | Radiating elongated tabular or prismatic clusters or single bladed tabular crystals |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Cleavage | {001} Good |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2 - 2.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 1.91 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | nα =1.494(1), nβ = 1.498(1), nγ = 1.503(1) |
| 2V angle | 41° |
| Dispersion | Strong r < v |
| Solubility | In water |
| References | [1][2][3][4] |
Hazenite is a hydrous phosphate mineral with chemical formula of KNaMg2(PO4)2·14H2O, therefore a hydrous alkali magnesium phosphate. It is a member of the struvite group.
It was first described for an occurrence adjacent to Mono Lake, California, and named after Robert M. Hazen of the Carnegie Institute.[5] It was approved as a new mineral on February 28, 2008 by the Commission on New Minerals of the International Mineralogical Association.
It occurs as crystal clusters associated with decomposed algae remnants on calcite or aragonite. It is precipitated by microbes in the highly-alkaline environment of Mono Lake.[3]