Sugilite

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Sugilite crystals - click for larger pic
Sugilite crystals – 8mm
© Gilles Haineault

KNa(Fe3+,Fe2+,Mn2+,Al)Li30 · nH

Sugilite is moderately rare at Mont Saint-Hilaire.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually pale pink.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent.
Crystal System is hexagonal; 6/mcc
Crystal Habits include poor intergrown, striated prismatic crystals.
Cleavage none apparent.
Fracture is (??).
Hardness is 5.5 – 6.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.75 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include pectolite, polylithionite, poudretteite
and quartz.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habits.
Origin: Named in 1976 after Ken-ichi Sugi (1901-1948), Japanese
petrologist who found the specimens in 1944.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 63.2.1a.9

Strunz Classification
# VIII/E.22-110

REFERENCES:
Dana 8:1275-1276 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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