What is "sauconite"

n. (context mineralogy English) A monoclinic-prismatic mineral containing aluminum, hydrogen, oxygen, silicon, sodium, and zinc.

Sauconite is a complex phyllosilicate mineral of the smectite clay group, formula Na Zn( Si Al) O(O H)·4 HO. It forms soft earthy bluish white to red-brown monoclinic crystals typically massive to micaceous in habit. It has a Mohs hardness of 1 to 2 and a specific gravity of 2.45. Optically it is biaxial positive with refractive index values of n = 1.550 - 1.580, n = 1.590 - 1.620 and n = 1.590 - 1.620.

It is found in vugs and seams in the oxidized zones of zinc and copper deposits. It occurs in association with hemimorphite, smithsonite, chrysocolla, coronadite and various iron oxides.

It was named for the Saucon Valley in Pennsylvania, where it was originally discovered in 1875.