General Information:
Chemical Formula:
BaTiSi3O9
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 413.46 gm)
Barium 33.21 % Ba
Titanium 11.58 % Ti
Silicon 20.38 % Si
Oxygen 34.83 % O
Empirical Formula:
BaTiSi3O9
Environment:
Compact granular natrolite veins cutting a grayish green fibrous shist interlayered with serpentine.
Locality:
Benitoite Gem mine, head waters of the San Benito river, 1 mile south of Santa Rita Peak, San Benito County, California, USA
Name Origin:
Named from its locality.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[1011] Poor
Color:
blue, purple, pink, white, or colorless.
Density:
3.6
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to translucent
Habits:
Tabular - Form dimensions are thin in one direction., ,
Hardness:
6-6.5 - Orthoclase-Pyrite
Luminescence:
Fluorescent, Short UV=blue.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
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