Searlesite
NaBSi₂O₅(OH)₂

     Searlesite is extremely rare at MSH. Specimens fluoresce green with a bluish tint under SW.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually colorless.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent.
Crystal System is monoclinic, P2₁.
Crystal Habits include sharp tabular prismatic crystals to 3mm.
Cleavage {100} is micaceous, {010} and {001} are average.
Fracture is not apparent due to cleavage.
Hardness is 1 - 2.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.45 g/cm³.
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, eudialyte, natrolite, sodalite
   and steenstrupine.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habits.
Origin: Named in 1914 after John W. Searles, American pionneer
   and discoverer of Searles Lake.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:334 (1990), Dana 8:1566 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

Legend