Thumbnails
Miserite crystals
© Doug Merson
K(Ca,Ce)Si22(OH,F)
Miserite is rare at MSH. It was found in the early 1970’s and designated as UK #36.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color ranges from pale to medium reddish violet (rasberry).
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent to opaque.
Crystal System is triclinic; 1.
Crystal Habits include elongated pseudohexagonal, striated crystals
to 12mm as individual or groups of crystals.
Cleavage {001} is distinct.
Fracture is subconchoidal to uneven.
Hardness is 5.5 – 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.9 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include calcite, fluorite, pectolite and
wollastonite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and color.
Origin: Named in 1950 after Hugh Dinsmore Miser (1884-1969),
geologist, U.S. Geological Survey.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 70.2.1.1
Strunz Classification
# VIII/F.35-30
REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:323 (1990), Dana 8:1400 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
¤¤¤