Thenardite

NaSO

Thenardite is relatively rare at MSH.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually white.
Luster is vitreous to resinous.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is orthorhombic, Fddd
Crystal Habits include powdery masses.
Cleavage {010} is perfect and {101} is fair.
Fracture is uneven to hackly.
Hardness is 2.5 – 3.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.6 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include calcite, kogarkoite, pectolite and shortite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1826 after Louis Jacques Thenard (1777-1857), French
professor of chemistry.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 28.2.3.1

Strunz Classification
# VI/A.07-10

REFERENCES:
Dana 8:570 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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