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Gobbinsite crystals
© Gilles Haineault
Gobbinsite crystals
© Doug Merson
Gobbinsite crystals
© Doug Merson
Gobbinsite crystals
© Modris Baum
Na(Ca,Mg,K)AlSi1032 · 12H
Gobbinsite is a very rare member of the zeolite group and is an extremely rare occurrence at Mont Saint-Hilaire. MSH was the first known locality for crystallized specimens.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually white to tan.
Luster is vitreous to dull to greasy.
Diaphaneity: transparent.
Crystal System is tetragonal; 2.
Crystal Habits include spike-like, pyramidal crystals to 2mm.
Crystals are deeply etched and show no prism faces.
Cleavage none observed.
Fracture not observed.
Hardness is approximately 4.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.2 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, eudialyte, microcline,
natrolite, philipsite and sérandite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and etching.
Origin: Named in 1982 for its discovery locality, south of the
Gobbins area, Magee Island, Antrim County, Northern Ireland.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 77.1.3.4
Strunz Classification
# VIII/J.25-30
REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:312 (1990), Dana 8:1663-1664 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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Gobbinsite crystals
© Modris Baum
Gobbinsite crystals
© Stephan Wolfsried