Diaspore

Formulaα-AlO(OH)

Origin of name:   From Greek for to scatter

 

Crystal system:   Orthorhombic

Crystal class:   2/m 2/m 2/m

Twinning:

Unit cell: 

 

Colour:   White to colourless, yellowish, greenish, lilac, pink, brownish

Diaphaneity:  Transparent to subtranslucent

Luster:   Vitreous, pearly on cleavages

Habit:   Crystals thin elongated plates; acicular or tabular, striated; massive, foliated, scaly, stalactitic

Hardness:   6.5 to 7

Specific gravity:   3.3 to 3.5

Cleavage:   3; {010} perfect, {110} distinct, {100} traces

Tenacity: 

Streak: 

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments:   Dimorphous with boehmite

 

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