CREEDITE

    Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
    Subclass : Hydrated sulfates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : CaAl2(SO4)(F,OH)10 2H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Creedite is a rare fluorinated, hydrated sulphate. It takes its name from its discovery location : the Wagon Wheel Gap vein in the Creede deposit (Colorado, USA). It is found in small, short acicular to prismatic crystals, frequently grouped in radiated aggregates or geodic masses, colorless, yellow, orange or white, rarely purple. The frequency of creedite in fluorite and barite veins suggests an hydrothermal origin for this mineral.

Main photo : Creedite de Navidad Mine, Durango, Mexico

Creedite from Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico © Allan Young
Creedite from Akshatau Mine, Kazakhstan © Lopatkin Oleg
Creedite from Colquiri Mine, La Paz, Bolivia © Gianfranco Ciccolini
Creedite from Wagon Wheel Gap, Colorado, USA © Van King

Creedite in the World

The best specimens come from my mine in La Navidad (Mexico) and constitute balls of radiated orange crystals more than 10 cm in diameter. Beautiful sprays of 2.5 cm crystals also come from Qinglong Mine (Guizhou). Beautiful crystals have been discovered in the Colquiri vein (Bolivia), spectacular groups of purple crystals come from Santa Eulalia (Mexico) and Akshatau (Kazakhstan).

Creedite in France

In France, creedite is reported anecdotally at the Bergheim limestone quarry (Haut-Rhin) and at the Silberloch Mine near Orschwiller (Bas-Rhin).

Twinning

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

Some specimens from Qinglong Mine (China) were dyed purple with ink to facilitate sale. The deception is easily identifiable, the dye being soluble in acetone and concentrating in the cracks of the treated specimens...


Hardness : 4
Density : 2.71 to 2.73
Fracture : Conchoidal
Streak : White

TP : Transparent
RI : 1.461 to 1.485
Birefringence : 0.024
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Acids


Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None

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