General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Na2[Al2Si3O10]·2(H2O)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 380.22 gm)
Sodium 12.09 % Na
Aluminum 14.19 % Al
Silicon 22.16 % Si
Hydrogen 1.06 % H
Oxygen 50.49 % O
Empirical Formula:
Na2Al2Si3O10·2(H2O)
Environment:
Occurs in the cavities of amygdaloidal basalts and other related rocks.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA
Locality:
Bohemia of Czechoslovakia.
Name Origin:
From the Greek natron, "soda," in allusion to sodium content and lithos - "stone."
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[110] Perfect, [010] Imperfect
Color:
white, colorless, red, yellowish white, or reddish white.
Density:
2.25
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to translucent
Habits:
Acicular - Occurs as needle-like crystals., Prismatic - Crystals Shaped like Slender Prisms (e.g. tourmaline)., Nodular - Tuberose forms having irregular protuberances over the surfac e.
Hardness:
5.5-6 - Knife Blade-Orthoclase
Luminescence:
None.
Luster:
Vitreous - Silky
Streak:
white
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