Xitieshanite
A hydrous ferric sulfate-chloride discovered in 1983 at Qinghai's Xitieshan lead-zinc deposit.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Xitieshanite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Fe³⁺(SO₄)Cl·6H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/a).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.7; specific gravity 1.98–1.99; Yellow streak; Vitreous luster; refractive index 1.578; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Xit, IMA status: approved, named in 1982.
Formed in the oxidation zone of a pyrite-rich orebody in a very arid climate.
It is found associated with Copiapite, römerite, coquimbite, amarillite, sideronatrite, melanterite.
The name refers to its occurrence in the Xitieshan mine, China.
Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data and a Wikipedia introduction — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet.
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