Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 19, 2026

Stercorite

Stercorite is the mineral form of microcosmic salt. The name comes from the Latin "stercus", meaning dung, since the mineral was originally discovered among guano.

Last revised
Jul 19, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
70 w
Citations
2
Source
Stercorite 1
General
CategoryPhosphate minerals
Formula(NH4)NaHPO4
IMA symbolStc2
Strunz classification8.CJ.05
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP1
Identification
Formula mass137.0077 g/mol
Mohs scale hardness2
LusterVitreous
DiaphaneityTransparent
Density1.615 g/cm3
Melting point79 °C (174 °F)
FusibilityFusible
SolubilityWater soluble

Stercorite is the mineral form of microcosmic salt. The name comes from the Latin "stercus", meaning dung, since the mineral was originally discovered among guano.

References

References

  1. "Stercorite". Mindat.org. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  2. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.