Hydrokenoelsmoreite is a hydrous tungsten oxide mineral with formula □2W2O6(H2O). It forms from the oxidation of ferberite within granitic pegmatite dykes and in pegmatitic greisen veins. It has a structure based on a defect pyrochlore lattice (A2B2O6O’). The mineral is a member of the elsmoreite group of the pyrochlore supergroup but deviates from the ideal cubic symmetry due mainly to the ordering of Fe3+ onto one of two W sites. Crystals are canary yellow, transparent with a vitreous luster, and have a pale yellow streak.
General Information
- Category: Oxide minerals
- Formula: □2W2O6(H2O)
- Crystal system: 3C polytype: Isometric and 6R polytype: Trigonal
- Crystal class: 3C polytype: Hexoctahedral (m3m) and 6R polytype: Rhombohedral (3)
Properties
Hydrokenoelsmoreite is a colorless to white, translucent isometric mineral. It has a Mohs hardness of 3, exhibits no cleavage and has a splintery fracture. It has a vitreous to adamantine luster. It is optically isotropic with an index of refraction of n = 2.24.
- Color: White
- Cleavage: None
- Fracture: Splintery
- Tenacity: Brittle
- Mohs scale hardness: 3
- Luster: Adamantine
- Streak: White
Occurrence
It was first described for an occurrence in Elsmore Hill, New South Wales, Australia from where it takes its name.
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Information Source:
