Hanksite

hanksite

aphthitalite

trona

halite

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Formula: KNa₂₂(SO₄)₉(CO₃)₂Cl Anhydrous compound sulphate containing halide
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Specific gravity: 2.562 measured, 2.585 calculated
Hardness: 3 to 3½
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless to grey, yellow or almost black; colourless in transmitted light
Solubility: Readily soluble in water, effervesces weakly in dilute acids
Environments:

Evaporite deposits

Hanksite occurs in lacustrine (lake) evaporite deposits.

At the type locality, Searles Lake, San Bernardino county, California, USA, hanksite is abundant, and associated with halite, borax, trona and aphthitalite (Dana).

At Mono Lake, Mono county, California, USA, hanksite has been found coating trona. The sequence of deposition is halite, then trona, then hanksite (AM 36.358-361).

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