Löweite
A rare hydrated sodium-magnesium sulfate of marine salt deposits and saline playas.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Löweite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Na₁₂Mg₇(SO₄)₁₃·15H₂O.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group R-3).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5–3; specific gravity 2.36–2.42; Vitreous luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Löw, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1847.
Occurs as an uncommon mineral in marine salt deposits; in efflorescences and crusts in saline playa deposits; a volcanic sublimation product.
It is found associated with Anhydrite, gypsum, vanthoffite, blödite, langbeinite, aphthitalite, epsomite, pentahydrite, hexahydrite, kieserite, mirabilite, starkeyite, thénardite.
The mineral was named to honor Alexander Löwe (1808–1895), Austrian chemist, Chief Assayer at the Mint, Vienna, Austria.