Faustite and Austinite Physical Properties
Tenacity
Not Available
Brittle
Solubility
Not Available
Easily soluble in cold dilute HCl
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.9
4.12
Fracture
Conchoidal, ConchoidalAnthony et al, Conchoidal, Brittle, Conchoidal
Brittle, Uneven, Brittle, Uneven
Cleavage
{???} Indistinct
Good in two directions parallel to the prism faces {110}
Chemical Composition
(Zn,Cu)Al 6(PO 4) 4(OH) 8 · 4H 2OMichael OâDonoghue , Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Faustite and Austinite Chemical Formula
While comparing Faustite and Austinite physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Faustite and Austinite chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Faustite- (Zn,Cu)Al 6(PO 4) 4(OH) 8 · 4H 2OMichael OâDonoghue , Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
- Chemical formula of Austinite- CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Faustite and Austinite Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Faustite and Austinite Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Faustite and Austinite Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Faustite is 4.12 whereas that of Austinite is 4.12.