Shortite
Na₂₆REE₆(SiO₃)₆(PO₄)₆(CO₃)₆(S⁴⁺O₂)O

     Shortite is another very rare species from MSH. Its inconspicuous appearance and similarity to calcite in the same environment make it easy to overlook.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color varies from pale yellow to lemon yellow.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent.
Crystal System is orthorhombic, C2mm.
Crystal Habits include well-formed short prismatic crystals and masses.
Cleavage {010} is distinct.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 3.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.6 g/cm³.
Streak is white white.
Associated Minerals include calcite, fluorite, pectolite and thenardite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1940 after Maxwell Naylor Short (1889-1952),
   American professor of mineralogy.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:338 (1990), Dana 8:456-457 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

Legend

Superb shortite crystal
Photo by R. Lavinsky
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