Normandite (Type Locality)
NaCa(Mn,Fe)(Ti,Nb,Zr)Si2O7OF
Normandite, a member of the låvenite group, mineral species originally found at MSH in 1980 and described in 1997. It was originally designated as UK #59.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually orange to orange-brown, yellow in fine fibers.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is translucent to transparent.
Crystal System is monoclinic; P21/a.
Crystal Habits include aggregates of acicular crystals to 10mm,
patches of fibrous crystals and euhedral crystals to 10mm.
Cleavage {100} and {001} are distinct.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 5 – 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.5 g/cm3.
Streak is white to very pale yellow.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, albite, cancrinite, catapleiite,
donnayite, eudialyte, kupletskite, microcline, natrolite, nepheline,
rinkite and villiaumite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1997 after Charles Normand, Canadian amateur
mineralogist who discovered the species.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 56.2.6a.2
Strunz Classification
# VIII/C.11-15
REFERENCES:
CanMin 35:1035-1039 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH PE AP MX SS MC HF BR SX FR
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