Poudretteite

Poudretteite

Faceted poudretteite, 0.51 ct, Mogok, Myanmar
General
Category Cyclosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
KNa2B3Si12O30
Strunz classification 9.CM.05
Dana classification 63.02.01a.08
Crystal system Hexagonal
Crystal class Dihexagonal dipyramidal (6/mmm)
H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group P6/mcc
Identification
Color Colorless, Light pink
Crystal habit Roughly equant barrel-shaped prismatic crystals
Cleavage None
Fracture Conchoidal, splintery
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 5
Luster Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak White
Diaphaneity Transparent
Specific gravity 2.51
Optical properties Uniaxial +
Refractive index 1.511 to 1.532
Birefringence 0.021
Pleochroism Colorless to pink
References [1][2][3][4][5]

Poudretteite is an extremely rare mineral and gemstone that was first discovered as minute crystals in Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, during the 1960s.[5] The mineral was named for the Poudrette family because they operated a quarry in the Mont St. Hilaire area where poudretteite was originally found.[6]

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/29/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.