General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Na2Ca2Al6Si9O30·8(H2O)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 1,164.90 gm)
Sodium 3.95 % Na
Calcium 6.88 % Ca
Aluminum 13.90 % Al
Silicon 21.70 % Si
Hydrogen 1.38 % H
Oxygen 52.19 % O
Empirical Formula:
Na2Ca2Al6Si9O30·8(H2O)
Environment:
Occurs in amygdaloidal basalt and similer rocks.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA
Locality:
Cyclopean Islands northeast of Catania, Sicily.
Name Origin:
From the Greek mesos - "middle."
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[101] Perfect, [001] Perfect
Color:
white, gray, or pale yellow.
Density:
2.2 - 2.4, Average = 2.29
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to translucent
Habits:
Acicular - Occurs as needle-like crystals., Capillary - Very slender and long, like a thread or hair (e.g. millerite)., Spherical - Spherical, rounded aggregates.
Hardness:
5 - Apatite
Luminescence:
None.
Luster:
Vitreous - Silky
Streak:
white
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