(Th,U)SiO
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; 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/cm
Streak is yellow-brown.
Associated Minerals include (??).
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and streak.
Origin: Named in 1829 to reflect its thorium content.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 51.5.2.3
Strunz Classification
# VIII/A.09-30
REFERENCES:
Dana 8:1057-1058 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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