General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Na3Mg(CO3)2Cl
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 248.75 gm)
Sodium 27.73 % Na
Magnesium 9.77 % Mg
Carbon 9.66 % C
Chlorine 14.25 % Cl
Oxygen 38.59 % O
Empirical Formula:
Na3Mg(CO3)2Cl
Environment:
Continental evaporite deposits.
Locality:
Searles Lake, San Bernardino Co., California.
Name Origin:
Named after C. H. Northup (b.1861), grocer, of San Jose, California, who found the first specimen.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
None
Color:
brownish, colorless, gray, gray brown, or yellow.
Density:
2.38
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to translucent
Habits:
Crystalline - Coarse - Occurs as well-formed coarse sized crystals., Pyramidal - Crystals are shaped like pyramids.,
Hardness:
3.5-4 - Copper Penny-Flourite
Luminescence:
Non-fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
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