Mazzite-Na
Na₈Al₈Si₂₈O₇₂ · 30H₂O

     Mazzite-Na is extremely rare at MSH. It was found in the Poudrette pegmatite in 2000. Due to its very thin needle-like habit, it was difficult to get proper identification.

     Mont Saint-Hilaire is only the second locality for this species.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually colorless or white.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is hexagonal; P 6₃/mmc.
Crystal Habits include acicular, hexagonal, to elongate, flattened crystals to 0.5mm in length, forming radiating sprays and balls.
Cleavage is (??).
Fracture is uneven to subconchoidal.
Hardness is 5 - 5.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.17 g/cm³.
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, albite, catapleiite, elpidite, gaidonnayite, kupletskite, remondite-(Ce), siderite and sodalite.
Distinguishing Features: (??).
Origin: Named in 2003, for Fiorenzo Mazzi, professor of mineralogy,
   University of Pavia, Italy.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
None yet

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

Legend