Shortite

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Shortite crystal
1.7 x 1.2mm
Photo by Gilles Haineault
© Gilles Haineault

Shortite crystals
© Stephan Wolfsried

Shortite crystals
Photo by R. Lavinsky
© www.irocks.com

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Na₂₆REE(SiO(PO(CO(S⁴⁺)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, mm
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/cm
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:

Dana System
# 14.4.1.1

Strunz Classification
# V/B.05-70

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

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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Legend

Superb shortite crystal
Photo by R. Lavinsky
© www.irocks.com