Editorial Feature

Kalinite - Occurrence, Properties, and Distribution

Kalinite is a mineral composed of hydrated potassium aluminum sulfate. The mineral was first found in San Bernardino County, California, USA in 1868. It was named for its potassium (kalium) content.

Properties of Kalinite

The following are the key properties of Kalinite:

  • Cell Data
    • Space Group: C2/c
    • a = 19.92(16)
    • b = 9.27(3)
    • c = 8.304(13)
    • β = 98.79(19)°
    • Z = 4
  • Crystal Data
    • Monoclinic
    • Point Group: 2/m
    • Typically fibrous, in crusts or massive
    • X-ray Powder Pattern: 4.80 (100), 4.31 (86), 3.494 (79), 4.12 (71), 4.94 (64), 4.60 (50), 2.679 (29)
  • Chemical Composition
    Elements Content (%)
    K 8.57
    Al 5.91
    H 4.86
    S 14.05
    O 66.61
    Total 100
  • Optical Properties
    • Optical Class: Biaxial (–)
    • Orientation: Z = b; Y ^ c = 13°
    • Dispersion: Weak
    • α = 1.430
    • β = 1.452
    • γ = 1.458
    • 2V(meas.) = 52(1)°
  • Estimated Properties
    Electron density Bulk density (electron density)=1.84 g/cm3
    note: Specific gravity of Kalinite =1.76 g/cm3
    Photoelectric PEKalinite = 1.95 barns/electron
    U= PEKalinite x ρElectron density= 3.58 barns/cm3
    Fermion index Fermion index = 0.001
    Boson index = 0.998
    Radioactivity
    Kalinite is barely detectable

How to Identify Kalinite

Kalinite is either colorless or white in color. It is non-fluorescent with a white streak, vitreous luster and transparent appearance. Its fractures developed over the brittle materials are characterized by smooth curved surfaces. It is a water-soluble mineral that can form fibrous crystals. The hardness of kalinite is 2 and its density is 1.76 g/cm3.

Global Distribution

Kalinite is distributed in the following places:

  • Mount Wingen, New South Wales, Australia
  • Quetena, west of Calama, Antofagasta, Chile
  • Turkey Creek, Jefferson Co.,Colorado, USA
  • Alum mine, Silver Peak district, Esmeralda Co., Nevada
  • Alma pyrite mine, Alameda Co., California
  • Lipari Islands and Sicily, Italy
  • Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

Occurrence of Kalinite and Useful Mineral Association

Kalinite occurs as a volcanic sublimate, efflorescences on alum slates, in caves and rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zone of mineral deposits. It is closely associated with pisanite and jarosite.

References

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