Glauberite

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Glauberite
2V angle
24° to 34°
Dispersionstrong r > v
SolubilityHCl and H2O (water) soluble
Alters toreadily alters to gypsum
Other characteristicsoften a pseudomorph
References[2][3][4]

Glauberite is a monoclinic sodium calcium sulfate mineral with the formula Na2Ca(SO4)2.

It was first described in 1808 for material from the El Castellar Mine,

alchemist Johann Rudolf Glauber (1604–1668).[2]

Glauberite often forms in continental and marine evaporite deposits, but may also form from

blodite.[4]

Because of its solubility, glauberite is often dissolved away from the crystal matrix leaving a distinctly shaped hollow cast. Its mineral composition is readily altered into other minerals as pseudomorphs. Gypsum pseudomorphs are common due to increased humidity.

Glauberite, its cast impressions, and its pseudomorphed crystals are often easily recognizable due to its common crystal twinning, and crystal habit displayed by uniquely shaped flattened, often seeming rhombohedral, large individual 'floater crystals'.

The mineral is commercially mined for its sulfate contents.[5]

References

  1. S2CID 235729616
    .
  2. ^ a b Glauberite on Mindat
  3. ^ Glauberite data on Webmineral
  4. ^ a b Glauberite in the Handbook of Mineralogy
  5. doi:10.3390/pr6080099
    .
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