Kaolinite
Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄

     Kaolinite, a member of the kaolinite-serpentine group, is rare at Mont Saint-Hilaire.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually white.
Luster is earthy.
Diaphaneity is translucent to opaque.
Crystal System is triclinic; P1.
Crystal Habits include powdery foliated masses.
Cleavage {001} is perfect, though not usually observable.
Fracture is not apparent.
Hardness is 2 - 2.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.6 g/cm³.
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include fluorite, microcline and pyrite.
Distinguishing Features: none.
Origin: From the Chinese Kao-ling, "high ridge", the name of the
   hill near Jaucha Fa, Jianxi, China, where the mineral was found.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:315 (1990), Dana 8:1407-1411 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

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