General Information:
Chemical Formula:
(Na,Ca)(Si,Al)4O8
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 268.62 gm)
Sodium 5.14 % Na
Calcium 5.97 % Ca
Aluminum 14.06 % Al
Silicon 27.18 % Si
Oxygen 47.65 % O
Empirical Formula:
Na0.6Ca0.4Al1.4Si2.6O8
Environment:
Magmatic and metamorphic rocks.
IMA Status:
Not IMA Approved
Locality:
Andes Mountains, South America.
Name Origin:
Named after its locality.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[001] Perfect, [010] Good
Color:
colorless, gray, yellow green, or white.
Density:
2.66 - 2.68, Average = 2.67
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to Subtransparent to translucent
Habits:
Granular - Generally occurs as anhedral to subhedral crystals in matrix., Crystalline - Coarse - Occurs as well-formed coarse sized crystals., Granular - Generally occurs as anhedral to subhedral crystals in matrix.
Hardness:
7 - Quartz
Luminescence:
Non-fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
More details...