Haineaultite (Type Locality)
(Na,Ca)₅Ca(Ti,Nb)₅(Si,S)₁₂O₃₄(OH,F)₈ ·· 5H₂O

     Haineaultite is a new silicate recently published in The Canadian Mineralogist, June 2004; found predominantly in altered marble xenoliths at the Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is generally lemon-yellow and more rarely tan, off-white or
   pale orange.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is orthorhombic, space group C222.
Crystal Habits include prismatic crystals or fan-like aggregates of
   tabular crystals, elongate along [001], with a maximum length of 6 mm.
Cleavage is distinct to good on {100}, {010} and {001}.
Fracture is blocky to splintery.
Hardness is 3 - 4.
Specific Gravity is 2,28 g/cm³.
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, albite, analcime, calcite,
   eudialyte group minerals, labuntsovite, microcline, quartz and sphalerite.
Distinguishing Features: brittle, not fluorescent.
Origin: Named in 2004 for Gilles Haineault, mineralogist and long-time
   collector at Mont Saint-Hilaire.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
CanMin 42:0769-0780 (2004)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

Legend

Haineaultite crystals
© Stephan Wolfsried