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Steenstrupine-(Ce) crystals
1,5mm
© Gilles Haineault
Steenstrupine-(Ce) crystals
© Doug Merson
Na14CeMn2+Mn3+Fe2+(Zr,Th)(OH)(PO(Si18 · 3H
Steenstrupine-(Ce) occurs very rarely at MSH. It is found in both metamict and non-metamict forms and is X-ray amorphous.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually dark red or red brown.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is opaque.
Crystal System is hexagonal;
Crystal Habits include tabular crystals terminated by pinacoids to 3mm,
glassy plates and blobs.
Cleavage {001} is poor.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 4 – 5.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.4 g/cm
Streak is black.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, eudialyte, lueshite, sodalite,
villiaumite and vuonnemite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1881 after Knud Johannes Vogelius Steenstrup
(1842-1913), Danish geologist who discovered the mineral.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 61.4.2.1
Strunz Classification
# VIII/E.17-10
REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:340-341 (1990), Dana 8:1265 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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