Thorite
(Th,U)SiO₄

     Thorite occurs rarely at Mont Saint-Hilaire.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually yellow brown or red.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is translucent to opaque.
Crystal System is tetragonal; I4₁/amd.
Crystal Habits include resinous masses.
Cleavage {100} is distinct.
Fracture is conchoidal to splintery.
Hardness is ~ 4.5 - 5.
Specific Gravity is approximately 6.6 g/cm³.
Streak is yellow-brown.
Associated Minerals include (??).
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and streak.
Origin: Named in 1829 to reflect its thorium content.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
Dana 8:1057-1058 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

Legend