General Information:
Chemical Formula:
(NH4,K)(NO3)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 85.31 gm)
Potassium 11.46 % K
Hydrogen 3.54 % H
Nitrogen 28.73 % N
Oxygen 56.26 % O
Empirical Formula:
(NH4)0.75K0.25(NO3)
Environment:
As efflorescences on the walls, boulders, bat quano, and earthy floor of the cave and as saline crusts coating boulders in a dolomite hill in the Kalahari Basin.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA (Dana # Added)
Locality:
Gewihaba Cave (alson known as Drotsky's Cave), northwestern Botswana, 280 km west of Maun.
Name Origin:
Named after it's locality.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
None
Color:
colorless or white.
Density:
1.77
Diaphaniety:
Transparent
Habits:
Acicular - Occurs as needle-like crystals., Efflorescences - Crystals covering matrix, generally produced from transpiro-evaporation.,
Hardness:
5 - Apatite
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
More details...