Kastningite

General Information: Chemical Formula:(Mn++,Fe++,Mg)Al2(PO4 )2(OH)2·8H2O Composition:(Molecular Weight = 475.72 gm)Magnesium 0.26 % MgManganese 7.51 % MnAluminum 11.34 % AlIron 3.52 % FePhosphorus 13.02 % P Hydrogen 3.81 % H Oxygen 60.54 % O  Empirical Formula: Mn2+0.65Fe2+0.3Mg0.05Al2(PO4)2(OH)2·8(H2O) Environment:Found in the aplitic zone of a zoned P-bearing granitic pegmatite exploited for feldspar for the ceramics industry. An alteration product of primary phosphates. Dimorphic relationsh ip with mangangordonite, and the Al-do IMA Status:Approved IMA (Dana # Added) Locality:Silbergrube quarry, Waidhaus, Upper Palatinate (Oberpf„lzer Wald), Bavaria, Germany. Name Origin:Named after Jrgen Kastning (b. 1932), from Reinbeck bei Hamburg, Germany, amateur mineralogist specializing in phosphate minerals, who discovered the mineral.Physical Properties: Color:white, beige, or colorless. Density:2.35 Diaphaniety:Transparent to Translucent Habits:Thin - Flat dimensioned crystals., Tabular - Form dimensions are thin in one direction., Hardness:1-2 - Between Talc and Gypsum Luminescence:Non-fluorescent. Luster:Vitreous (Glassy) Streak:whiteMore details...