General Information:
Chemical Formula:Mg6Mn+++2(CO3)(OH)16·4(H2O)
Composition:(Molecular Weight = 659.89 gm)Magnesium 22.10 %
MgManganese 16.65 %
MnHydrogen 3.67 %
H Carbon 1.82 %
C Oxygen 55.76 %
O
Empirical Formula: Mg6Mn2+2(CO3)(OH)16·4(H2O)
Environment:Imbedded in brucite and in serpentinites.
IMA Status:Approved IMA 1979
Locality:TL: Cedar Hill Quarry, Lancaster County, Pennsyvania, USA. Artinite locality and old talc prospect, 1 mile NE of Paicacho Peak, San Benito Co. California.
Name Origin:Named after Paul E. Desautels (1920-1991), curator of minerals at the U. S. National Museum of Natural History (Smithstonian Institution).
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:[0001] Perfect
Color:bright orange.
Density:2.13
Diaphaniety:Transparent
Habits:Euhedral Crystals - Occurs as well-formed crystals showing good external form., Pseudo Hexagonal - Crystals show a hexagonal outline.,
Hardness:2 - Gypsum
Luminescence:Non-fluorescent.
Luster:Pearly
Streak:light orange
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