General Information:
Chemical Formula:
(Ca,Na2,K2)Al2Si4O12·6(H2O)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 515.67 gm)
Potassium 4.55 % K
Sodium 2.67 % Na
Calcium 2.33 % Ca
Aluminum 10.46 % Al
Silicon 21.79 % Si
Hydrogen 2.35 % H
Oxygen 55.85 % O
Empirical Formula:
Ca0.3Na0.6K0.6Al2Si4O12·6(H2O)
Environment:
Alteration of basaltic rocks.
Locality:
Londonderry, Antrim Co., Ireland.
Name Origin:
Named for Armand Levy (1794-1841), French mineralogist and crystallographer, Paris University, France.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[1011] Perfect
Color:
white, grayish white, reddish white, yellowish white, or gray.
Density:
2.09 - 2.16, Average = 2.12
Habits:
Radial - Crystals radiate from a center without producing stellar forms (e.g. stibnite), Fibrous - Crystals made up of fibers.,
Hardness:
4-4.5 - Between Fluorite and Apatite
Luminescence:
Non-fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
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