Galeite

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Formula: Na₁₅(SO₄)₅ClF₄
Anhydrous sulphate containing halogen
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 2.605 measured, 2.596 calculated
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless
Solubility:
Environments

Evaporite deposits

Localities

At the type locality, Searles Lake, San Bernardino county, California, USA, galeite has been found only in drill cores in the playa lake deposit. It occurs in small nodular aggregates of minute white crystals, embedded in clay and other salt minerals. Maximum dimension of crystals is about 1 mm. In some nodules it is associated with gaylussite and northupite. The crystals are hexagonal, barrel-shaped, rarely tabular, but a single rhombohedron is the most persistent form. Galeite is closely related to schairerite and sometimes occurs interlayered with it, forming polycrystals (Geological Society of America Bulletin: 66: 1658-1659). Other associted minerals include pirssonite, tychite, trona, hanksite and calcite (HOM).

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