| Zharchikhite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Halide mineral |
| Formula | AlF(OH)2 |
| IMA symbol | Zha[1] |
| Strunz classification | 3.AC.05 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic, pseudo-orthorhombic |
| Identification | |
| Colour | Colorless |
| Crystal habit | Elongated prismatic cryatals, massive, drusy coatings |
| Cleavage | Perfect (010) |
| Tenacity | Very brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.81 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.532 nβ = 1.552 nγ = 1.567 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.035 |
| 2V angle | 80° (calculated) |
| References | [2][3] |
Zharchikhite is a halide mineral, a hydroxyl fluoride of aluminium; formula AlF(OH)2. It forms colourless, transparent crystals. Discovered in 1968, it is named after its original locality, the Zharchinskoya Deposit, which is in Buryatia, Russia.
