Kaersutite (original) (raw)
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Kaersutite crystals
© Doug Merson
NaCa(Mg,Fe2+Ti(SiAl22(OH)
Kaersutite is one of the rock-forming amphiboles in the nepheline syenite at MSH.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually dark brown to black.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is translucent to opaque.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/
Crystal Habits include phenocrysts to 4cm.
Cleavage {110} is perfect.
Fracture is uneven to subconchoidal.
Hardness is 5 – 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.25 g/cm
Streak is gray.
Associated Minerals in the nepheline syenite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and cleavage.
Origin: Named in 1884 after its discovery locality, in the Kadyrel
deposit, Tuva, Siberia, Russia.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 66.1.3a.18
Strunz Classification
# VIII/F.10-150
REFERENCES:
**MinRec 21:**315 (1990), **Dana 8:**1356-1357 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH ¤¤¤