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Tainiolite crystals
© Doug Merson
Tainiolite crystals
© Doug Merson
Tainiolite crystals
© Modris Baum
KLiMg{Si10}F
Tainiolite, a member of the mica group is rare at MSH. Only the -1M has been found at the locality. The name of this species has just been changed. The International Mineralogical Association (IMA) Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names (CNMMN) prefers the original spelling of tainiolite to taeniolite in order to better reflect its Greek origins.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually colorless to tan or silvery.
Luster is vitreous to pearly.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent; opaque.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/
Crystal Habits include thin lamellar crystals to 1cm in length forming
random or oriented aggregates and tapering pseudohexagonal
prisms to 1cm in length.
Cleavage {001} is perfect.
Fracture is not apparent due to cleavage.
Hardness is 2.5 – 3.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.8 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, apophyllite series, fluorite,
microcline, natrolite, pectolite, phillipsite, quartz and richterite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and cleavage.
Origin: Named in 1900 from the Greek tainia, ribbon, alluding to
the tabular habit of its crystals.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 71.2.2b.9
Strunz Classification
# VIII/H.12-60
REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:342 (1990), Dana 8:1464-1465 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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