Kaersutite

Thumbnails

Kaersutite crystals
© Doug Merson

 

NaCa(Mg,Fe²⁺Ti(SiAl₂₂(OH)

Kaersutite is one of the rock-forming amphiboles in the nepheline syenite at MSH.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually dark brown to black.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is translucent to opaque.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/
Crystal Habits include phenocrysts to 4cm.
Cleavage {110} is perfect.
Fracture is uneven to subconchoidal.
Hardness is 5 – 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.25 g/cm
Streak is gray.
Associated Minerals in the nepheline syenite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and cleavage.
Origin: Named in 1884 after its discovery locality, in the Kadyrel
deposit, Tuva, Siberia, Russia.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 66.1.3a.18

Strunz Classification
# VIII/F.10-150

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:315 (1990), Dana 8:1356-1357 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
¤¤¤

Legend