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Formula: Ca3(AsO4)2.10H2O
Hydrated normal arsenate
Crystal System: Triclinic
Specific gravity: 2.36 measured, 2.362 calculated
Hardness: 2
Streak: Colourless
Colour: Colourless, white
Environments
Rauenthalite is often associated with the chemically nearly identical
phaunouxite, but phaunouxite
easily dehydrates to rauenthalite
(Mindat).
Localities
At the type locality, the Gabe Gottes mine, Sankt Jakob vein, Neuenberg, Ste Marie-aux-Mines, Colmar-Ribeauvillé,
Haut-Rhin, Grand Est, France, rauenthalite is a post-mine low-temperature reaction product of carbonate
gangue with arsenical solutions
derived from arsenic. It forms colourless to cloudy white bladed crystals as a
post-mine efflorescence on mine tunnel walls. Associated minerals include
sainfeldite,
picropharmacolite,
phaunouxite, pharmacolite,
ferrarisite, löllingite,
calcite and aragonite
(HOM, Mindat).
At the Anton Mine, Heubach Valley, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany,
rauenthalite is associated with picropharmacolite,
lavendulan, cobalt-bearing
hörnesite, guérinite,
roselite and gypsum
(HOM).
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