Iranite

Iranite
General
CategorySilicate mineral
FormulaPb10Cu(CrO4)6(SiO4)2(F,OH)2
IMA symbolIrn
Strunz classification7.FC.15
Crystal systemTriclinic
Space groupTriclinic pedial
H-M symbol: (1)
Space group: P1
Unit cella = 10.02 Å, b = 9.54 Å, c = 9.89 Å; α = 104.5°, β = 66°, γ = 108.5°; Z = 1
Identification
ColorBrown to orange
Crystal habitEquant to flattened euhedral crystals
Mohs scale hardness3
LusterVitreous
StreakYellow
Specific gravity5.8
Optical propertiesBiaxial
Refractive indexnα = 2.250 – 2.300 nγ = 2.400 – 2.500
Birefringenceδ = 0.150 – 0.200
References

Iranite (Persian: ایرانیت) is a triclinic lead copper chromate silicate mineral with formula Pb10Cu(CrO4)6(SiO4)2(F,OH)2. It was first described from an occurrence in Iran. It is the copper analogue of hemihedrite (Pb10Zn(CrO4)6(SiO4)2(F,OH)2).

It occurs as an oxidation product of hydrothermal lead-bearing veins. Associated minerals include dioptase, fornacite, wulfenite, mimetite, cerussite and diaboleite. It was first described in 1970 for an occurrence in the Sebarz Mine, northeast of Anarak, Iran.