Bararite

Bararite
Pale pink yellowish crystals of bararite from Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA
General
CategoryHalide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
(NH4)2SiF6
IMA symbolBrr[1]
Strunz classification3.CH.10
Crystal systemTrigonal
Crystal classHexagonal scalenohedral (3m)
H-M symbol: (3 2/m)
Space groupP3m1
Unit cella = 5.77 Å, c = 4.78 Å; Z = 1
Identification
ColorWhite to colorless
Crystal habitTabular, sometimes elongated on {0001},
also appears in irregularly shaped or mammillary surfaces that comprise mainly cryptohalite
TwinningInterpenetration twins (paddlewheels/darts), axis parallel to {0001}
Cleavage[0001] perfect
Mohs scale hardness2.5
LusterVitreous
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.152 (synthetic)
Optical propertiesUniaxial (-)
Refractive indexnω = 1.406 ± 0.001,
nε = 1.391 ± 0.003
Birefringence0.015 ± 0.003
SolubilityDissolves in water
Other characteristicssalty taste
References[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Bararite is a natural form of ammonium fluorosilicate (also known as hexafluorosilicate or fluosilicate). It has chemical formula (NH4)2SiF6 and trigonal crystal structure. This mineral was once classified as part of cryptohalite. Bararite is named after the place where it was first described, Barari in Jharia Coal Field, Dhanbad, India.[3] It is found at the fumaroles of volcanoes (Vesuvius, Italy), over burning coal seams (Barari, India), and in burning piles of anthracite (Pennsylvania, U.S.). It is a sublimation product that forms with cryptohalite, sal ammoniac, and native sulfur.[4]

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ a b Palache, C., Berman, H., and Frondel, C. (1951) Dana’s System of Mineralogy, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition.
  4. ^ a b Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (1997) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume III: Halides, Hydroxides, Oxides. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Christie was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Schlemper1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Bararite on Mindat.org
  8. ^ Bararite data on Webmineral

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