Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Mugla, Menderes massif, Turkey
SIZE : 4 x 3.8 x 3.2 cm

This sample of diaspore is in fact a twin. Following the crystallographic laws, it is the association of 2 crystals of the same species.

On this sample, the diaspore is grayish-brown and has striated facets. It comes from Menderes massif in Turkey. The dimensions of the twin are: 4 x 3.8 x 3.2 cm.

Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Diaspore

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "διασπορ" [diaspor] meaning "dispersion", because of its fragmentation during heating

Species first described in 1801 by René-Just Haüy (1743-1822), French mineralogist and cristallographer

Type-locality: Mramorskoi, Kossoibrod, Ural Russia

CHEMICAL FORMULA : AlO (OH)
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Orthorhombic
COLOR : White, pale gray, colorless, greenish, brown, yellow
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Adamantine to vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Elongated crystals, acicular, forming stalactites
HARDNESS : 6,5-7,0
DENSITY : 3,38

CHEMICAL CLASS : IV - Oxides, hydroxides
GROUP : Diaspore
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 4/F.06-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 4.FD.10

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Diaspore

MNHN N°195.20

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