Na(Ce,La,Nd)(PO
Vitusite-(Ce) is a rare species at MSH.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually pale yellow, pinkish tan to gray and black.
Luster is vitreous to greasy.
Diaphaneity is translucent to opaque.
Crystal System is orthorhombic; Pcmb
Crystal Habits include sharp prisms to 4mm terminated by {001}
prism and as poorly defined radiating prisms to 5mm.
Cleavage is not apparent.
Fracture is (??).
Hardness is 4.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.8 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include albite, eudialyte, natrolite, phillipsite,
sérandite, sodalite and vuonnemite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1979 after Vitus Bering (1681-1741), Danish-
Russian explorer of the North Seas.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 38.1.8.1
Strunz Classification
# VII/A.03-40
REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:345-346 (1990), Dana 8:704-705 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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