Loweite - Occurrence, Properties, and Distribution

May 16 2013

Topics Covered

Introduction to Loweite
Properties of Loweite
How to Identify Loweite
Global Distribution
Occurrence of Loweite and Useful Mineral Association
References

Introduction to Loweite

Chemical Formula – Na₁₂Mg₇(SO₄)₁₃•15(H₂O)

Loweite was first found in Ischl, Hallstatt, and Hall, Austria in 1847. The mineral was named after Alexander Lowe, Austrian chemist, Chief Assayer at the Mint, Vienna, Austria.

Properties of Loweite

The following are the key properties of Loweite:

Cell Data
- Space Group: R3
- a = 18.866(2)
- c = 13.434(2)
- Z = 3
Crystal Data
- Hexagonal
- Point Group: 3 2/m
- Anhedral granular
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 10.37 (100), 4.294 (65), 4.046 (60), 2.458 (50), 3.277 (45), 2.698 (45), 3.175 (40)

Chemical Composition

Elements	Content 1	Content 2
SO₃	52.53	52.97
Na₂O	18.58	18.92
H₂O	14.80	13.75
MgO	14.31	14.36
Total	100.22	100.00

Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Uniaxial (–)
- ω = 1.490
- ε = 1.471

Estimated Properties

Electron density	Bulk density (electron density)=2.38 g/cm³ note: Specific gravity of Loweite =2.36 g/cm³
Photoelectric	PE_Loweite = 1.73 barns/electron U= PE_Loweite x ρElectron density= 4.11 barns/cm³
Fermion index	Fermion index = 0.01 Boson index = 0.99
Radioactivity	Loweite is not radioactive

How to Identify Loweite

Loweite is either colorless or reddish yellow, pale yellow or gray in color. It has a transparent appearance and vitreous luster. The average density of loweite is 2.37 g/cm³, and its hardness ranges from 2.5 to 3.

Global Distribution

Loweite is distributed in the following places:

Ischl, Hallstatt, and Hall, Austria
Stassfurt-Aschersleben-Bernburg potash district, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Merkers, Thuringia
Hattorf, near and at Neuhof-Ellers, Hesse
La Mancha region, Spain
Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Great Konya Basin, near Cakmak, Konya Province, Turkey
“Q” Basin [Jianghan Plain] potash deposits, Hubei Province, China
Carlsbad potash district, Eddy Co., New Mexico, USA
Northwest of Grand Junction, Mesa Co., Colorado.

Occurrence of Loweite and Useful Mineral Association

Loweite occurs as a volcanic sublimation product, crusts in saline playa deposits, efflorescences and uncommon mineral in marine salt deposits. It is closely associated with thenardite, starkeyite, mirabilite, kieserite, hexahydrite, pentahydrite, epsomite, aphthitalite, langbeinite, blodite, vanthoffite, gypsum and anhydrite.