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Chabazite-Na crystals
Photo by Douglas Merson
© Douglas Merson
(Na,Ca,K)AlSi · 3H
Chabazite-Na, formerly herschelite, is the proper name according to the new zeolite nomenclature from the International Mineralogical Association. It is a rare species at MSH.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually white.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity: transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is triclinic; 3.
Crystal Habits include shell-like aggregates of crystals.
Cleavage {1011} is distinct.
Fracture is uneven.
Hardness is 4 – 5.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.05 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include gmelinite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1792 from the Greek chabazios, tune or melody,
one of twenty stones named in the poem Peri lithos, which
extolled the virtues of minerals.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 77.1.2a.2
Strunz Classification
# VIII/J.26-20
REFERENCES:
CanMin 32:843-854 (1994), Dana 8:1654 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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