General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Mg4Si6O15(OH)2·6(H2O)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 613.82 gm)
Magnesium 15.84 % Mg
Silicon 27.45 % Si
Hydrogen 1.97 % H
Oxygen 54.74 % O
Empirical Formula:
Mg4Si6O156(H2O)
Environment:
Secondary mineral associated with serpentine. Can precipitate from alkali saline waters in arid environments.
Locality:
Eski Shehr, Asia Minor.
Name Origin:
From the Greek, sepia - "cuttlefish" and lithos - "stone." From the German, meerschaum meaning "sea froth."
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[???] Perfect
Color:
grayish white, yellowish white, bluish green white, reddish white, or gray.
Density:
2
Diaphaniety:
Opaque
Habits:
Earthy - Dull, clay-like texture with no visible crystalline affinities, (e.g. howlite)., Fibrous - Crystals made up of fibers.,
Hardness:
2 - Gypsum
Luminescence:
None.
Luster:
Earthy (Dull)
Streak:
white
More details...