Langbeinite - Encyclopedia
Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
Subclass : Anhydrous sulfates
Crystal system : Cubic
Chemistry : K2Mg2(SO4)3
Rarity : Uncommon
Langbeinite is a potassium and magnesium sulfate from marine evaporitic series, commonly associated with halite and sylvite. It can be replaced by kainite. It was named in honor of the German chemist A. Langbein. Langbeinite rarely forms crystals and appears mainly in colorless or white nodules or grains, often slightly tinted grayish, yellowish, greenish or reddish by mineral or clay inclusions. It is occasionally an important potassium and magnesium ore.
Main photo : Langbeinite from Kerr McGee Mine, Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA © Philip Simmons
Langbeinite in the World
Twinning
No twin known for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fakes recorded for this mineral species.
Hardness : 3.5 to 4
Density : 2,83
Fracture : Conchoidal
Streak : White
TP : Transparent
RI : 1.532 to 1.534
Birefringence : 0
Optical character : None
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : Pale green
Solubility : Water
Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None