Nesquehonite
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| Nesquehonite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Carbonates |
| Formula | MgCO3·3H2O |
| IMA symbol | Nes[1] |
| Strunz classification | 5.CA.05 |
| Dana classification | 13.1.5.1 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Space group | P21/m |
| Unit cell | a=7.705 Å, b=5.367 Å, c=12.121 Å, β=90.451° |
| Identification | |
| Colour | Colourless |
| Cleavage | Perfect |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous (if fresh) |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent |
| Specific gravity | 1.824-1.854 |
| Density | 1.6 |
| Birefringence | 0.114 |
Nesquehonite is a mineral of magnesium carbonate (MgCO
3). It represents the trihydrate of magnesium carbonate, and has the total formula MgCO3·3H2O
.[2]
It was described in 1890 by F. A. Genth and S. L. Penfield and is named after its type locality of Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, where it was sampled from a coal mine.[2] Nesquehonite can form from the related pentahydrate Lansfordite by dehydration at room temperature.