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Formula: BaSi2O5.3H2O
Phyllosilicate (sheet silicate), barium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 3.14 measured, 3.10 calculated
Hardness: 4
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless
Solubility: Readily decomposed by cold dilute acids
Common impurities: Ti,Al,Fe,Mn,Mg,Ca,Sr,K
Environments
Krauskopfite occurs in veins cutting
sanbornite-quartz bearing
gneissic metamorphic rocks.
It is a secondary mineral associated with
macdonaldite, opal and
witherite. It also replaces
sanbornite
(Dana, Webmin).
Localities
At the type locality is the Esquire No. 1 claim, Rush Creek, Rush Creek deposit, Big Creek-Rush Creek Mining District,
Fresno county, California, USA, krauskopfite is typically a vein-forming mineral and is commonly associated with
macdonaldite, opal and
witherite. The opal and
witherite generally form the margin of the veinlets. Veinlets containing
krauskopfite have been noted especially in weathered
sanbornite-quartz rock where the
sanbornite has altered to an opaline substance and
pyrrhotite has altered to limonite.
In addition to forming veinlets, krauskopfite also occurs as a replacement of
sanbornite. Krauskopfite forms grains up to 6 mm long
(AM 50.314-340).
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