General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Na6(CO3)(SO4)2
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 390.08 gm)
Sodium 35.36 % Na
Carbon 3.08 % C
Sulfur 16.44 % S
Oxygen 45.12 % O
Empirical Formula:
Na6(CO3)(SO4)2
Environment:
Continental evaporite deposits.
Locality:
Searles Lake, San Bernardino Co. California. Found in the lake clays as porphyroblastic crystals.
Name Origin:
Named for William Edmund Burke (1880-1966), chemical engineer, American Potash and Chemical Co., who discovered the artificial salt.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[???] Indistinct
Color:
gray, gray white, white, light brown, or pink.
Density:
2.57
Diaphaniety:
Transparent
Habits:
Tabular - Form dimensions are thin in one direction., Massive - Uniformly indistinguishable crystals forming large masses., Nodular - Tuberose forms having irregular protuberances ove r the surface.
Hardness:
3.5 - Copper Penny
Luminescence:
Phosphorescent fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous - Greasy
Streak:
white
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