Makatite

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Makatite crystals - click for larger pic
Makatite crystals
© Doug Merson

Makatite crystals - click for larger pic
Makatite crystals
© David Joyce

NaSi(OH) · 4H

Makatite is a rare species at MSH.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually colorless.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is translucent.
Crystal System is monoclinic;
Crystal Habits include thin striated prismatic crystals.
Cleavage on {010} .
Fracture is (??).
Hardness is (??).
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.1 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, eudialyte, lovozerite,
molybdenite, sodalite, steenstrupine and vuonnemite. Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1970 from the Masai emakat, soda, alluding to the
high sodium content of the mineral.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 74.3.5.2

Strunz Classification
# VIII/G.05-20

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:321 (1990), Dana 8:1565 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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