General Information:
Chemical Formula:
(NH4)AlSi3O8·0.5(H2O)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 266.28 gm)
Aluminum 10.13 % Al
Silicon 31.64 % Si
Hydrogen 1.89 % H
Nitrogen 5.26 % N
Oxygen 51.07 % O
Empirical Formula:
(NH4)Al(Si3O8)·0.5(H2O)
Environment:
Plagioclase altered by ammonium-bearing waters.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1964
Locality:
Sulfur Bank mine, end of east arm of clear Lake, Lake Co. California.
Name Origin:
Named for Arthur Francis Buddington (1890-1980), American petrologist, Princeton University.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[001] Good, [010] Distinct
Color:
colorless or white.
Density:
2.32
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to Translucent
Habits:
Cryptocrystalline - Occurs as crystals too small to distinguish with the naked eye., Pseudomorphous - Occurs in the form of another mineral.,
Hardness:
5.5 - Knife Blade
Luster:
Vitreous - Dull
Streak:
white
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