Bernardevansite

bernardevansite

krutaite

penroseite

chalcomenite

Images

Formula: Al2(SeO3)3.6H2O
Hydrated selenite, monoclinic paramorph of hexagonal alfredopetrovite
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 2.93 measured, 2.997 calculated
Hardness: 2 to 3
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless
Environments

Sedimentary environments
Hydrothermal environments

Bernardevansite is a new mineral, approved in 2022 and to date (August 2023) reported only fron the type locality.

Localities

At the type locality, El Dragón mine, Porco Municipality, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí, Bolivia, bernardevansite occurs as aggregates or spheres of radiating bladed crystals on a matrix consisting of cobalt-bearing krut'aitepenroseite. Other associated minerals are chalcomenite and clinochalcomenite (MM 87.407-414).
The deposit consists of small hydrothermal veins, up to 4 cm thick, cutting Paleozoic (541 to 252 million years ago) sedimentary rocks. The origin of the selenium veins was accomplished by multiple injections of highly oxidised, metal-rich fluids into faults at the interface between black shale and siltstone. Selenides dominate over sulphides (Mindat).

Back to Minerals