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Graphite crystal
© Bill Lechner
Graphite-2H polytype has been found in a sodalite xenolith as small (<1mm) flakes, embedded in sodalite. Only a few specimens have been recovered.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is black.
Luster is metallic.
Diaphaneity is opaque.
Crystal System is hexagonal; mmc
Crystal Habits include the flakes embedded in sodalite.
Cleavage {001} is perfect.
Fracture is not observed.
Hardness is 1.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.1 g/cm
Streak is black.
Associated Minerals include eudialyte, ussingite and villiaumite.
Distinguishing Features: Extremely rare.
Origin: Known since antiquity; its name comes from the Greek,
graphein, to write, alluding to its ancient use as a crayon.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 1.3.6.2
Strunz Classification
# I/B.02-10
REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:313 (1990), Dana 8:33-34 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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