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Formula: K3NaMnCl6
Valence: K3NaMn2+Cl6
Chloride of potassium, sodium and manganese, rinneite group
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 2.26 measured, 2.297 calculated
Hardness: 2½
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless, appears light orange due to inclusions of akaganéite
Solubility: Hygroscopic, soluble in water at room temperature and crystallises from solution above 52°C
Environments
Localities
At the type locality, the Salton Sea, Imperial County, California, USA, saltonseaite formed as the result of the
evaporation of geothermal (hydrothermal) brines enriched in K, Na, Mn, and Cl. It occurs as lozenge-shaped and bladed
crystals to about 10 cm in size that are composites of parallel-grown rhombohedra. It is associated with large,
well-formed crystals of sylvite and
halite. Crystals are transparent and colourless, but appear light orange due to
inclusions of akaganéite. The streak is white and the lustre is vitreous to
oily, the latter being due to deliquescence. The Mohs hardness is about 2½, the tenacity is brittle, the fracture is
irregular, and crystals exhibit one very good cleavage
(AM 98.1.231-235).
Saltonseaite from the Salton Sea - Image
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