Chemistry

Akatoreite: Properties and Occurrence

Akatoreite: Properties and Occurrence

Akatoreite {(Mn2+, Fe2+)9 Al2 [(OH)3|His4O13]} is a mineral found in New Zealand. It was named after the place it was initially discovered – Akatore Creek, New Zealand.

Physical Properties

  • Cleavage: {010} Perfect, {021} Good
  • Color: Orange, Brown.
  • Density: 3.48
  • Diaphaneity: Transparent
  • Habit: Wheat Sheaf – Bundle shaped aggregates resembling wheat sheafs after hand reaping wheat.
  • Hardness: 6 – Orthoclase
  • Luster: Vitreous (Glassy)
  • Streak: yellow-white.

Chemical Properties

  • Elements listed: Al, H, Mn, O, Si – search for minerals with similar chemistry
  • Common Impurities: Ti, Fe, Mg, Ca.

Identify Akatoreite

It can be identified in the field by its color variations, such as orange and brown. Its transparent form has {010} perfect, {021} good cleavage. This mineral has a vitreous luster, with a yellow-white streak.

The density of akatoreite is 3.48 g/cm3, with a hardness of 6 – approximate to orthoclase.

Global Distribution: Akatoreite is distributed in the following places:

  • New Zealand – 3km south of Akatore Creek, east Otago, South Island
  • Sweden – From Norberg

Occurrence and Useful Mineral

Akatoreite occurs in a manganiferous metachert and carbonate lens in schists, and in manganiferous potassium-rich felsic metavolcanics.

It is often associated with minerals such as rhodochrosite, apatite, pyroxmangite, spessartine, quartz, rhodonite, tinzenite, todorokite, alabandite, ganophyllite, rhodochrosite, pyrolusite, and haubnerite.

 

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