Pectolite

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Pectolite crystals - click for larger pic
Pectolite crystals
Bob Ramik specimen
Photo by Violet Anderson
© Royal Ontario Museum

Pectolite crystals - click for larger pic
Pectolite crystals
Photo by Violet Anderson
© Royal Ontario Museum

Pectolite crystals - click for larger pic
Pectolite crystals
© Modris Baum

NaCaSi(OH)

Pectolite, a member of the pectolite- schizolite-sérandite series,
is another widespread species at MSH.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually colorless or white.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is triclinic; 1.
Crystal Habits include the pseudotetragonal prisms, fibrous aggregates
to 10cm, and crystalline masses.
Cleavage {001} and {100} are perfect.
Fracture is splintery.
Hardness is 4.5 – 5.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.9 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include amphibole group, annite, apophyllite
series, calcite, fluorite, microcline, poudretteite, sodalite, vesuvianite
and many others.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and fracture.
Origin: Named in 1828 from the Greek pektos, well put together,
alluding to its compact structure.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 65.2.1.4

Strunz Classification
# VIII/F.18-60

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:327-329 (1990), Dana 8:1319-1320 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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Legend

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

Pectolite crystals - click for larger pic
Pectolite crystals
© Stephan Wolfsried

Pectolite crystals - click for larger pic
Pectolite crystals
© Stephan Wolfsried

Pectolite crystals - click for larger pic
Pectolite crystals
© Stephan Wolfsried