Richterite

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Richterite crystals - click for larger pic
Superb macro-sized
richterite crystals
© Gilles Haineault

Na(CaNa)(Mg,Fe2+(Si22)(OH)

Richterite, a member of the amphibole group is rare at the locality.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually colorless or pale green.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/
Crystal Habits include prismatic crystals to 3mm.
Cleavage {110} is perfect.
Fracture is uneven.
Hardness is 5 – 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.2 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, albite, amphibole group,
analcime, ancylite, arfvedsonite, calcite, diopside, fluorite, gonnardite,
microcline, pectolite, quartz, sodalite and tainiolite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1865 for Theodor Richter (1824-1898), German
mineralogist and metallurgist.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 66.1.3b.9

Strunz Classification
# VIII/F.09-10

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:333 (1990), Dana 8:1358 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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