NaZrTiO(CO
Sabinaite was very rare at MSH. Some recent finds have produced locally abundant specimens of larger size. It was originally described from the Francon quarry in Montreal 35 kilometers to the West, the only other locality for the species. It was originally found at MSH by Jean-Pierre Beckerrich.
Sabinaite crystals – Stereo pair
Modris Baum photo & specimen
© Modris Baum
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually colorless, yellow.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/
Crystal Habits include tabular crystals to 1.5mm and stacked
micaceous plates.
Cleavage {001} is perfect and {010} is distinct.
Fracture is (??).
Hardness is not determined.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.4 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, albite, analcime, calcite,
dawsonite, dolomite, gonnardite, microcline, natrolite,
paranatrolite, pectolite and sodalite
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1980 after Ann Phyllis Sabina Stentson (b. 1930),
mineralogist, Geological Survey of Canada, who first
collected the mineral.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 16a.5.4.1
Strunz Classification
# V/C.05-10
REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:333-334 (1990), Dana 8:495-496 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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Sabinaite crystals
© Modris Baum
Sabinaite crystals
© Quintin Wight