Category Carbonate mineral Strunz classification 5.DA.10 Space group C2/m | Formula(repeating unit) Mg2(OH)2CO3·3H2O Crystal system Monoclinic | |
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Crystal class Prismatic (2/m)(same H-M symbol) | ||
Artinite is a hydrated magnesium carbonate mineral with formula: Mg2(CO3)(OH)2·3H2O. It forms white silky monoclinic prismatic crystals that are often in radial arrays or encrustations. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5 and a specific gravity of 2.
It occurs in low-temperature hydrothermal veins and in serpentinized ultramafic rocks. Associated minerals include brucite, hydromagnesite, pyroaurite, chrysotile, aragonite, calcite, dolomite and magnesite.
It was first reported in 1902 in Lombardy, Italy. It was named for Italian mineralogist, Ettore Artini (1866–1928).
References
Artinite Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA