HANKSITE

    Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
    Subclass : Anhydrous sulfates
    Crystal system : Hexagonal
    Chemistry : KNa22(SO4)9(CO3)2Cl
    Rarity : Rare

Hanksite is a sulfate from the evaporitic deposits of salt lakes. It is a complex sulfate which contains CO3 groups and chlorine. It was named in honor of Henry Garber Hanks, the first Californian mineralogist. Hanksite occurs in beautiful short prismatic crystals with isoscelohedra, frequently large (10 cm), or tabular, horizontally striated. It is colorless, sometimes yellowish, greenish or grayish following the inclusion of clay particles. In its deposits, hanksite rubs shoulders with other minerals of evaporitic origin such as borax or halite. It is an additional source of sodium.


Main photo : Searles Lake Hanksite, San Bernardino County, California, USA

Hanksite from Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA © Rob Lavinsky
Hanksite from Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA © Rob Lavinsky
Hanksite from Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA © Lawrence Violett
Hanksite from Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA © Chris Clemens

Hanksite in the World

Hanksite is a rare mineral but present in large quantities when the conditions for its difficult genesis are met. Hanksite is an exclusively Californian mineral present in the borate deposits of Searles Lake, where very beautiful crystals come from, Death Valley, and Mono and Soda lakes.

Hanksite in France

Hanskite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

No twins known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes recorded for this mineral species. The mineralogical specimens are oiled to protect them from an overly humid atmosphere and thus ensure their conservation.


Hardness : 3 to 3.5
Density : 2.56
Fracture : Irregular
Streak : White

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.461 to 1.481
Birefringence : 0.020
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : Light yellow, blue

Solubility : Nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, water

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None

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