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Arsenate

Braithwaiteite

NaCu²⁺₅(Sb⁵⁺Ti⁴⁺)O₂(AsO₄)₄[AsO₃(OH)]₂·8H₂O
Hardness2
Crystal systemTriclinic
ClassArsenate

Braithwaiteite

Braithwaiteite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula NaCu²⁺₅(Sb⁵⁺Ti⁴⁺)O₂(AsO₄)₄[AsO₃(OH)]₂·8H₂O.

It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system (space group P-1).

Key properties: Mohs hardness 2; specific gravity 3.44; Pale blue streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.

IMA symbol Bwt, IMA status: approved, named in 2006.

Occurs as an uncommon secondary mineral in the weathering zone of a hydrothermal enargite deposit.

It is found associated with Lammerite, lavendulan-lemmereite.

The mineral was named to honor Richard S.W. Braithwaite (b. 1930), chemist and mineralogist at the University of Manchester, England.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more B minerals or help write this entry.