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Halide

Saltonseaite

K₃NaMnCl₆
Hardness2.5
Crystal systemHexagonal
ClassHalide
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Saltonseaite specimen

Brownish crystal aggregates of the extremely rare K-Na-Mn chloride mineral saltonseaite associated to colorless cubic crystals of sylvite in a completely analyzed specimen by SEM/EDS. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0

Saltonseaite

Saltonseaite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the halide class, with the chemical formula K₃NaMnCl₆.

It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group R-3c). It is a member of the Rinneite structural group.

Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 2.26; White streak; Vitreous to oily (due to deliquescence) luster; optically uniaxial.

IMA symbol Sts, IMA status: approved, named in 2011.

The product of natural evaporation of geothermal (hydrothermal) brines enriched in K, Na, Mn, and Cl.

It is found associated with Sylvite, halite, akaganéite.

The name refers to the body of water adjacent to where the first specimens were collected.

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 S minerals or help write this entry.