TAKOVITE

    Class : Carbonates, nitrates, borates
    Subclass : Hydrated carbonates
    Crystal system : Trigonal
    Chemistry : Ni6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 4H2O
    Rarity : Rare to very rare

Takovite is a secondary carbonate known in bauxites and in the oxidation zone of nickel-rich formations. It owes its name to its discovery locality near Takovo (Serbia). Takovite is a bluish-green to yellow-green mineral that forms poorly crystallized masses and encrustations, exceptionally submillimetric pseudo-octahedra.

Main photo : Takovite from Gottesehre Mine, Germany © Gerhard Niceus

Takovite from Rocky's Reward Mine, Leinster, Australia © Steve Sorrell
Takovite from Sounion Mine No. 19, Lavrion, Greece © Maggie Wilson
Takovite & fluorite from Gottesehre Mine, Germany © Carsten Slotta
Takovite from Aghbar Mine, Bou Azzer, Morocco © Georges Favreau

Takovite in the World

Takovite is present in the weathering zone of Australian nickel deposits (Carr Boyd, Kambalda, Perseverence...). It is also reported at the contact between serpentinites and limestones on its type locality of Takovo (Serbia).

Takovite in France

In France, takovite is present associated with gibbsite, kaolinite and böhmite in a bauxite deposit, where it forms fine green coatings (Le Thoronet, Var).

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2
Density : 2.8
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Undetermined

TP : Translucent
RI : 1.594 to 1.605
Birefringence : 0.008
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None