Wenkite
Wenkite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Ba₄Ca₆(Si,Al)₂₀O₄₁(OH)₂(SO₄)₃·H₂O.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P-62m).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 6; specific gravity 3.19–3.24; Vitreous to pearly, somewhat greasy on fractures luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Wen, IMA status: approved, named in 1962.
Formed between barite layers and calc-silicate rock, a product of strong metamorphism of marbles (Candoglia, Italy).
It is found associated with Barite, calcite (Candoglia, Italy).
The name refers to Professor Eduard Wenk (1907{), mineralogist and petrologist, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet.
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