Meionite

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Meionite
© Doug Merson

Ca(AlSi24)(COSO

Meionite, a member of the scapolite group, is relatively rare at MSH. It fluoresces yellowish white under SW, and red under LW.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color varies from pale pink to brownish-red and purple.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent to opaque.
Crystal System is tetragonal; 4/
Crystal Habits include embedded fine-grained masses and blebs.
Cleavage {100} and {110} are good.
Fracture is subconchoidal.
Hardness is 5.5 – 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.65 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include microcline.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1801 from the Greek meion, less, alluding to the
less acute pyramidal terminations on its crystals, as compared with
vesuvianite.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 76.3.1.2

Strunz Classification
# VIII/J.13-20

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:322 (1990), Dana 8:1641-1644 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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