RASPITE

    Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
    Subclass : Tungstates
    Crystal system : Hexagonal
    Chemistry : PbWO4
    Rarity : Very rare

Raspite is an extremely rare lead tungstate, dimorphic to stolzite. It is found in the oxidation zones of tungsten and tin deposits and is exceptionally present in gold placers. It was named in honor of the prospector Charles Rasp who discovered the Broken Hill deposit and the mineral. Raspite forms striped tabular to lamellar crystals, pale yellow to brownish-yellow, sometimes gray.

Main photo : Raspite from Broken Hill Proprietary Mine, Australia © Christian Rewitzer

Raspite from Broken Hill Proprietary Mine, Australia © Judy Rowe
Raspite from Echassières, Allier, France © Thierry Lesenechal
Raspite from Echassières, Allier, France © Michael Förch
Raspite from Clara Mine, Germany © Michael Förch

Raspite in the World

Raspite is found associated with stolzite in the oxidation zone of the large Australian deposit of Broken Hill where crystals can reach a centimeter in size. It is also present in the Brazilian mine of Sumidoro (Minas Gerais), always with stolzite, in the tin veins of Cerro Estano near Guanajuato (Mexico), as well as in a few other rare deposits.

Raspite in France

In France, raspite is mainly known in Echassières (Allier), it is also described in the Plessis quarry (Finistère), in Rompas and in Prabis (Nièvre).

Twinning

Twinning is common on {100} and also on {-102}.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2.5 to 3
Density : 8.46
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Undetermined

TP : Transparent
RI : 2.270 to 2.300
Birefringence : 0.030
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Hydrochloric acid

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None