Fluorcanasite | |
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General | |
Category | Mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | K3Na3Ca5Si12O30F4•H2O |
Strunz classification | 09.DG.80 |
Dana classification | 78.05.04.02 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Domatic (m) |
Space group | Bm |
Unit cell | 1,602.59 ų |
Identification | |
Formula mass | 1,297.67 gm |
Color | Light Yellow |
Cleavage | Eminent on {100} and {201} Perfect on {001} |
Fracture | Hackly, Step-like |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 5 |
Luster | Vitreous |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Transparent |
Specific gravity | 2.68 |
Density | Measured 2.68(2) Calculated 2.69 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.538(1) nβ = 1.546(1) nγ = 1.549(1) |
Birefringence | 0.011 |
Pleochroism | Strong |
2V angle | Measured 60° (2) Calculated 63° |
Dispersion | Medium r > v |
Ultraviolet fluorescence | None |
Solubility | Slowly decomposes in acid |
Other characteristics | Radioactive 0.77% (K) |
Fluorcanasite is a rare calcium, potassium, sodium fluoride silicate mineral, discovered in the Kirovsk mine's dumps, in Russia. It has been approved by the IMA in 2007. The name fluorcanasite is a portmanteau word, and was made by blending fluorine, a chemical element that can be found in the mineral, and canasite, as the mineral is close to canasite in several ways (analogue of said mineral and a member of the canasite group). Fluorcanasite is also close to frankamenite.[1]