Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Khandjee, Badakhshan, Afghanistan
SIZE : 6.3 x 4.4 cm

This sample shows red crystals of clinohumite measuring on the average 1 cm. These great crystals, gem and biterminated, are associated with another hexagonal mineral, bluish white in layers, measuring almost 0.5 cm. The whole measures 6.3 x 4.4 cm.

This sample, acquired thanks to support from Total, comes from Badakhshan, Afghanistan. It is kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Clinohumite

HISTORY : Name inspired from the Greek word "κλινιεν" [klinien] meaning "inclined" an dits relation to humite. Species dedicated to Sir Abraham Hume, English collector

Species first described in 1876 by Alfred Descloizeaux (1817-1897), French mineralogist and cristallographer

Type-locality: Monte Somma, Naples, Italy

CHEMICAL FORMULA : (Mg,Fe+2)9 (F,OH)2 (SiO4)4
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : White, orange, yellow, brown
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Complex crystals, massive
HARDNESS : 6
DENSITY : 3,279

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Norbergite - chondrodite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/B.04-40
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.AF.25

Explore the Mineral Treasures of the Muséum

Welcome to
the Virtual Gallery of Mineralogy

Clinohumite

Clinohumite

MNHN N°205.116

general description

The Species page

Mineralogy