Caminite
Caminite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Mg₇(SO₄)₅(OH)₄·H₂O.
It crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system (space group I4_1/amd). It is a member of the Lipscombite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 2.58–2.79; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Cmi, IMA status: approved, named in 1983.
Formed by the reaction of sea water with hydrothermal fluids in a midocean ridge submarine chimney vent. Unstable below 130° C., below which it hydrates and redissolves in sea water.
It is found associated with Anhydrite.
The name comes from the Latin caminus, for chimney, as the mineral occurs in undersea black-smoker chimneys.
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 C minerals or help write this entry.