Neptunite (original) (raw)

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Neptunite crystals - click for larger pic
Neptunite blebs on
mangan-neptunite
Photo by Violet Anderson
© Royal Ontario Museum

KNaLi(Fe2+,Mn)Ti(Si22

Neptunite is another rare species from Mont Saint-Hilaire.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually dark red to black.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is translucent to opaque.
Crystal System is monoclinic; Cc
Crystal Habits include embedded blebs in mangan-neptunite crystals.
Cleavage {110} is perfect.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 5 – 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.2 g/cm
Streak is reddish-brown.
Associated Minerals include mangan-neptunite.
Distinguishing Features: Association.
Origin: Named in 1893 after Neptune, Roman god of the sea, because
it was found with aegirine, which was named after Aegir, Scandinavian
sea god.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 70.4.1.1

Strunz Classification
# VIII/F.37-10

REFERENCES:
**Dana 8:**1401-1402 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH ¤¤¤

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