Earth Sciences
Collections

Sepiolite

UNB-2016-0444Minerals » Silicates » Phyllosilicates

Description

Three samples of white compact nodular crystals that have a slight yellowish hue and a dull lustre. Sepiolite (Mg4Si6O15(OH)2 x 6H2O) can be greyish white, white, white with yellowish or reddish tinges or can be a bluish green in colour. Lustre is dull or earthy and streaky is white. Hardness is 2. Sepiolite usually occurs as compact nodular crystals but can also be earthy, massive or fibrous (rare). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepiolite

Specifications

Object nameSepiolite
IDUNB-2016-0444
Legal statusPermanent collection
CategoryMineral
Classification
Mineral group:
Silicates
Sub-group:
Phyllosilicates
Composition
  • (Al,Fe2+,Fe3+Li,Mg,Mn,Ni)5−6(Al,Fe3+,Si)4(O,OH)18
  • K(Fe,Mg)3AlSi3O10(OH)2
  • (Mg,Fe2+)5Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)8
  • Various (e.g., Muscovite - KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2)
  • Al2Si2O5(OH)4
  • K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si,Rb)4O10(F,OH)2
  • Na2AlSi3O8·H2O
  • LiAlSi4O10
  • NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
  • D3[Si2O5](OH)4
  • Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
  • KAl2(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2
Origin Saxony, Germany
Pieces3
PartialNo
Measurements
  • 2.7cm x 1.8cm x 1.8cm
  • 5cm x 2.6cm x 2.1cm
  • 4.1cm x 3.5cm x 1cm

Map of Origin