Anandite is a rare phyllosilicate with formula (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Si,Al,Fe)4O10(S,OH)2. It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system. It is black in color with a glassy luster and a near perfect cleavage.[3]

Anandite
General
CategoryPhyllosilicates
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Si,Al,Fe)4O10(S,OH)2
IMA symbolAna[1]
Strunz classification9.EC.35
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupC2/m
Unit cella = 5.412(5), b = 9.434(5)
c = 19.953(10) [Å]; β = 95°; Z = 2
Identification
ColorBlack
Crystal habitMassive, prismatic crystals poorly formed produce hexagonal outline cleavage fragments
CleavagePerfect on {001}
FractureFlexible fragments
Mohs scale hardness3 – 4
LusterVitreous
StreakGrey white
DiaphaneityNearly opaque
Specific gravity3.94
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive indexnα = 1.855 nγ = 1.880
PleochroismY = green; Z = brown
References[2][3][4]

It was first described in 1967[3] for an occurrence in the Wilagedera Prospect of the North Western Province of Sri Lanka in bands of iron ore.[2][4] It has also been found in Big Creek in Fresno County and in Trumball Peak in Mariposa County, California as well as the Sterling Mine in New Jersey.[2] It was named for Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy (1877–1947), who was the director of the Mineral Survey of Ceylon, Sri Lanka at that time.[4]

Anandite is a member of the mica group of minerals.[3] Other minerals that anandite is associated with include: magnetite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite and baryte.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b c "Anandite mineral information and data". Mindat.org.
  3. ^ a b c d e "PDF data sheet for Anandite in the Handbook of Mineralogy" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineral Data Publishing. 2001. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  4. ^ a b c "Anandite mineral data sheet". Webmineral.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.