Kalinite - Encyclopedia
Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
Subclass : Hydrated sulfates
Crystal system : Monoclinic
Chemistry : KAl(SO4)2 11H2O
Rarity : Very rare
Kalinite is a very rare potassium and aluminum sulfate found in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal deposits, in association with jarosite. It has a composition very close to that of potassium alum but these two minerals are clearly different in their structures. It was named so because of the presence of potassium : kalium in Latin. Kalinite forms colorless, white or grayish fibrous efflorescences.
Main photo : Kalinite from Alum King Occurrence (Big Star), Henry Mining District, Antelope Range, Sevier County, Utah, USA © Rob Lavinsky
Kalinite in the World
Twinning
No twin known for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fakes recorded for this mineral species.
Hardness : 2
Density : 1.75
Fracture : Irregular
Streak : White
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.430 to 1.485
Birefringence : 0.055
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : White
Solubility : Water
Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None