Fe²⁺Al₂(SO₄)₄ · 22H₂O

Halotrichite, a member of the halotrichite group, found in Mont Saint-Hilaire is one of the rarest minerals in Canada.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually white.
Luster is silky.
Diaphaneity is transparent.
Crystal System is monoclinic; P2/m.
Crystal Habits include very fine bent silky fibers to 2mm.
Cleavage not observed.
Fracture is not apparent.
Hardness is 1.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 1.95 g/cm³.
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include albite, pyrite, siderite and sphalerite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1839 from the Latin halotrichum, hair salt,
alluding to its silky hairlike habit.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:313-314 (1990), Dana 8:617 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH     PE     AP     MX     SS     MC     HF     BR     SX     FR
¤¤¤       —       ¤¤       —         —       —         —        —         —       — 

Legend