Chemistry:Fluorcanasite

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Fluorcanasite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
K3Na3Ca5Si12O30F4•H2O
Strunz classification09.DG.80
Dana classification78.05.04.02
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classDomatic (m)
Space groupBm
Unit cell1,602.59 ų
Identification
Formula mass1,297.67 gm
ColorLight Yellow
CleavageEminent on {100} and {201}
Perfect on {001}
FractureHackly, Step-like
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness5
|re|er}}Vitreous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.68
DensityMeasured 2.68(2)
Calculated 2.69
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive indexnα = 1.538(1)
nβ = 1.546(1)
nγ = 1.549(1)
Birefringence0.011
PleochroismStrong
2V angleMeasured 60° (2)
Calculated 63°
DispersionMedium
r > v
Ultraviolet fluorescenceNone
SolubilitySlowly decomposes in acid
Other characteristicsRadioactive.svg 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]

Properties

It is the triclinic analogue of canasite, and a member of the canasite group. It grows into prismatic crystals that can reach up to 2 mms in size extending along [010]. It is pleochroic, meaning the color of the mineral seems to change depending on the axis it is viewed at. It is coloured amber, purple and lilac respectively along the α, β and γ optical axes.[1] It has a barely detectable 0.77% potassium radioactivity measured by the GRapi (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units). It consists mostly of oxygen (38.22%), silicon (25.97%) and calcium (15.44%), but otherwise contains potassium (9.04%) - which gives its radioactive attributes - fluorine (5.86%) and sodium (5.31%).[2] Parting is parallel to {001}. Hackly fracture only applies on the b axis, among a and c axis the fracture is stepped.[3]

Occurrences and localities

Fluorcanasite is a type locality at Mount Kukisvumchorr, Russia.[2] It is associated with pectolite, microcline, nepheline, villiaumite, scherbakovite, rasvumite, lamprophyllite, mosandrite, molybdenite and aegirine.[1]

References