Fichtelite
Organic mineral
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fichtelite is a rare white mineral found in fossilized wood from Bavaria. It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system. It is a cyclic hydrocarbon: (dimethyl)(isopropyl)perhydrophenanthrene, C19H34. It is very soft with a Mohs hardness of 1, the same as talc. Its specific gravity is very low at 1.032, just slightly denser than water.
| Fichtelite | |
|---|---|
Chemical structure of fichtelite | |
| General | |
| Category | Organic mineral |
| Formula | C19H34 |
| IMA symbol | Fic[1] |
| Strunz classification | 10.BA.05 Hydrocarbons |
| Dana classification | 50.03.04.01 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Sphenoidal (2) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Colorless, white, pale yellow |
| Crystal habit | Elongated tabular crystals |
| Cleavage | Good on {001} and {100} |
| Mohs scale hardness | 1 |
| Luster | Greasy |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 0.631 calculated[2] 1.032[3] |
| Optical properties | Biaxial |
| Melting point | 44.2 °C – 45.0 °C |
| References | [2][3][4] |
It was first described in 1841 and named for the location, Fichtelgebirge, Bavaria, Germany.[4] It has been reported from fossilized pine wood from a peat bog and in organic-rich modern marine sediments.[2]
