White to pale tan crystals of the very rare mineral of simple chemistry kalicinite (K bicarbonate) from the famous region of Khibiny (Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russian Federation), associated to bobierrite. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kalicinite
The rare mineral form of potassium bicarbonate — a colorless mineral found in burning-coal and fumarole settings.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Kalicinite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula KH(CO₃).
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/a).
Key properties: specific gravity 2.168; Dull. Color: Colorless to white, pale yellow; colorless in transmitted light luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Kcn, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1865.
Found as a result of the decomposition of a dead tree.
The name refers to potassium, kalium, in the composition.