STRONTIOJOAQUINITE Meaning and
Definition
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Strontiojoaquinite is a complex rare mineral that falls into the category of inosilicates. It is typically composed of strontium, lead, copper, hydrogen, boron, and oxygen elements. This mineral belongs to the joaquinite group, which is characterized by a specific crystal structure known as monoclinic.
Strontiojoaquinite forms prismatic crystals that are often elongated and can be colorless, pale yellow, or light green. It has a vitreous to resinous luster and a hardness of around 4.5 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft. The specific gravity of strontiojoaquinite ranges from 3.7 to 3.78, indicating a higher density compared to most minerals.
This mineral is primarily found in hydrothermal veins and other geological formations that undergo alteration processes. Strontiojoaquinite is commonly associated with other minerals like quartz, k-feldspar, and various sulfides.
The name strontiojoaquinite is derived from its elemental composition, with "strontio" referring to the presence of strontium and "joaquinite" reflecting its membership in the joaquinite group. Due to its scarcity and limited occurrence in specific locations, strontiojoaquinite is highly valued by mineral collectors and researchers studying rare minerals.
It should be noted that strontiojoaquinite has no known industrial applications and its significance is predominantly tied to its geological and mineralogical properties, contributing to the understanding of earth sciences and mineral formations.
Etymology of STRONTIOJOAQUINITE
The word "strontiojoaquinite" is derived from two main components: "strontio" and "joaquinite".
1. Strontio: "Strontio" refers to the element strontium (atomic number 38) in the periodic table. The name "strontium" itself originated from the Scottish village of Strontian, where strontium-containing ores were first discovered in the early 19th century.
2. Joaquinite: "Joaquinite" is a mineral name derived from the locality where it was first discovered. It was identified in 1878 by Professor Alexander S. Eakins, who named it after the Joaquín Valley in Calaveras County, California, USA.
