Cadmium

Formula:  Cd

Origin of name:  From Greek calamine; cadmium is found in the slag from smelting calamine (now Smithsonite)

Crystal system:  Hexagonal

Crystal class:  6/m 2/m 2/m

Twinning:

Unit cell: a = 2.979 Å, c = 5.617 Å

Colour:  Tin-white with bluish tint

Diaphaneity:

Luster:  Metallic

Habit:  Flattened grains, smooth

Hardness: 1-2

Specific gravity:  8.64

Cleavage:  None

Tenacity: Malleable

Streak:

Synonyms/varieties:

Comments: Found in the heavy non-magnetic fraction of mechanical separate from a gabbro, as a product of post-magmatic activity in mineralized aleurolites, sandstones, dolomites and mudstones