Blödite
Mineral Na2Mg(SO4)2·4H2O
Also called Bloedite and Astrakanite
Take care.
- Damaged by water: Keep it dry: don't wash it, and keep it out of damp places.
- Breaks down in damp air: Keep it dry and in steady humidity; some crumble or rot as they take on moisture.
About it
Glassy, often well-formed crystals from salt lakes and potash beds, with fine ones from Soda Lake on the Carrizo Plain in California. Water-soluble, and clear crystals may cloud over with time.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Sulfate, hydrated
- Formula
- Na2Mg(SO4)2·4H2O
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 2.5–3
- Specific gravity
- 2.22–2.28
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy)
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Colours
- colourless, white, pale yellow, pale green, pinkish
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- none; conchoidal fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.