General Information:
Chemical Formula:
(Ca,Na)2(Al,Mg,Fe++)(Si,Al)2O7
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 268.29 gm)
Sodium 4.28 % Na
Calcium 22.41 % Ca
Magnesium 2.72 % Mg
Aluminum 11.06 % Al
Iron 2.08 % Fe
Silicon 15.70 % Si
Oxygen 41.74 % O
Empirical Formula:
Ca1.5Na0.5Al1.1Mg0.3Fe2+0.1Si1.5O7
Environment:
Igneous rocks poor in silica and alkalies.
Locality:
Capo di Bove, near Rome, Italy.
Name Origin:
From the Greek, meli - "honey" and lithos - "stone."
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[001] Distinct, [100] Indistinct
Color:
white, yellowish white, brown, gray, or greenish gray.
Density:
2.9 - 3, Average = 2.95
Diaphaniety:
Translucent
Habits:
Massive - Lamellar - Distinctly foliated fine-grained forms., Granular - Generally occurs as anhedral to subhedral crystals in matrix.,
Hardness:
5-5.5 - Apatite-Knife Blade
Luminescence:
None.
Luster:
Vitreous - Greasy
Streak:
white
More details...