Dussertite - Encyclopedia
Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
Subclass : Anhydrous arsenates
Crystal system : Trigonal
Chemistry : Ba(Fe,Sb)3(AsO4)2(OH,H2O)
Rarity : Very rare
Dussertite is an extremely rare arsenate of iron and barium, present in the oxidation zone of base metal deposits, mainly those rich in arsenopyrite. It was named in honor of the French mining engineer Désiré Dussert. Dussertite forms tiny lamellar crystals, barely discernible to the eye, pseudo-octahedra and pseudo-cuboctahedra. However, it mainly constitutes rosettes and encrustations of an apple green to bluish green color.
Main photo : Dussertite from Wittichen, Freiburg, Germany © Michael Förch
Dussertite in the World
Twinning
No twin known for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fake listed for this mineral species.
Hardness : 3.5
Density : 3.75
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Pale green
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.845 to 1.870
Birefringence : 0.025
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : -
Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None