Bianchite
Bianchite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Zn(SO₄)·6H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/c). It is a member of the Hexahydrite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 2.03–2.07; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Bnc, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1930.
A post-mine mineral, typically in efflorescences on mine walls, an alteration product of oxidizing sulfides.
It is found associated with Goslarite, melanterite, hydrozincite, gypsum (Raibl mine, Italy).
The mineral was named to honor Angelo Bianchi (1892–1970), Italian mineralogist, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet.
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