Natrophosphate

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Natrophosphate crystals - click for larger pic
Natrophosphate crystal
Photo by Douglas Merson
© Douglas Merson

Na(POF · 19H

Natrophosphate is very rare at the locality. It is the first occurrence of well-formed crystals.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually colorless to white.
Luster is vitreous to waxy.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is isometric; Fd
Crystal Habits include highly modified octahedra and dodecahedra
to 2mm.
Cleavage {111} is imperfect.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 2.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.15 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, albite, chkalovite, eudialyte,
griceite, kogarkoite, lovozerite, lueshite, pectolite, sérandite, sodalite,
steenstrupine, ussingite, villiaumite and vuonnemite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and luster.
Origin: Named in 1972 to reflect its composition as a sodium phosphate.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 42.13.9.1

Strunz Classification
# VII/D.26-10

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:325 (1990), Dana 8:954-955 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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