Manganoblödite

Manganoblödite is a rare manganese mineral with the formula Na₂Mn(SO₄)₂·4H₂O.^[3][4] Somewhat chemically similar mineral is D'Ansite-(Mn).^[5] Manganoblödite was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, US, which is known for several relatively new secondary uranium minerals^[6] In the mine, manganoblödite occurs intimately intergrown with manganese-, cobalt- and nickel-enriched blödite and a yet another new mineral - cobaltoblödite. Manganoblödite, as suggested by its name is a manganese-analogue of blödite. It is also analogous to changoite, cobaltoblödite and nickelblödite - all three are members of the blödite group.^[4]

Manganoblödite
General
Category	Sulfate mineral
Formula	Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O
IMA symbol	Mblö[1]
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Crystal class	Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol)
Space group	P21/a
Unit cell	a = 11.14, b = 8.28, c = 5.54 [Å], β = 100.42° (approximated); Z = 2
Identification
Color	Colorless (grains), reddish-pink (aggregates)
Crystal habit	Anhedral grains, in aggregates
Cleavage	None
Fracture	Uneven
Mohs scale hardness	2.5
Luster	Vitreous
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Transparent
Specific gravity	2.25 (measured), 2.34 (calculated) (approximated)
Optical properties	Biaxal (-)
Refractive index	nα=1.50, nβ=1.50, nγ=1.51 (approximated)
Common impurities	Mg, Co, Ni
References	[2][3][4]

Notes on chemistry

Manganoblödite is impure, containing admixtures of magnesium, cobalt and nickel.^[3]

Association and origin

Besides blödite and cobaltoblödite, other minerals associated with manganoblödite include chalcanthite, gypsum, johannite, sideronatrite, a feldspar group mineral and quartz.^[3]