Dolomite

Formula:   CaMg(CO3)2

Origin of name:   For D de Dolomieu, French geologist

 

Crystal system:   Hexagonal

Crystal class:   -3

Twinning:   Common on {0001}, {10-10}, or {11-20}; rare on {10-11}; on {02-21}, lamellar

Unit cell: a = 4.81 Å, c = 16.02 Å

 

Colour:   Colourless, white, grayish, greenish, pale brown, pinkish

Diaphaneity:

Luster:   Vitreous to pearly

Habit:   Crystals simple rhombohedrons, often with curved faces, rarely tabular or octahedral; crystalline aggregates; massive

Hardness:   3.5 to 4

Specific gravity:   2.85

Cleavage:   1; {10-11} perfect

Tenacity:   Subconchoidal; brittle

Streak: 

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments:   Series with ankerite and with kutnohorite

 

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