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Iowaite & Valleriite

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RSL598872

Iowaite & Valleriite

Rare Mineral

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Palabora Mine, Loolekop, Phalaborwa, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
5.2 × 3.8 × 3.5 cm
Largest Crystal: 
0.70cm
Description

In this specimen we have a nice combo formed by several crystals of iowaite, a rare Mg-Fe chlorhydroxide of the hydrotalcite group, one of them dominant with a green-gold color. We can observe perfect crystals interpenetrated and accompanied by small magnetite octahedron crystals. On the calcite some globular groups of the rare valleriite. Orange chondrodite crystals are present. The world's finest examples of the species come from this large open pit mine, and this one can be included. Analyzed specimen, we will send EDS results, SEM pictures and some more info related to the buyer.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Iowaite

Formula: 
Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2·4H2O
Strunz: 
4.FL.05
Hardness: 
1.5
Type Locality: 
Unnamed drill core, Sioux Co., Iowa, USA

Valleriite

Formula: 
(Fe2+,Cu)4(Mg,Al)3S4(OH,O)6
Strunz: 
2.FD.30
Crystal System: 
Hexagonal
Hardness: 
1.0 - 1.5
Streak: 
Black
Type Locality: 
Aurora Mine, Kaveltorp Mines, Kopparberg, Ljusnarsberg, Västmanland, Sweden
Analysis
Analysis Report - only: Iowaite & Valleriite
Analysis Report - only: Iowaite & Valleriite