Canasite

Canasite is a mineral whose name is derived from its chemical composition of calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and silicon (Si).[2] It was approved in 1959 by IMA.

Canasite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
K3Na3Ca5Si12O30(OH)4
IMA symbolCns[1]
Strunz classification09.DG.80
Dana classification78.05.04.01
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classMonoclinic-Prismatic
Unit cell1,596.05
Identification
ColorBrownish Yellow, Green Yellow, Light Green
TwinningPolysynthetic
CleavagePerfect 1 direction, good 1 direction
FractureSplintery
Mohs scale hardness5 - 6
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite, Clear
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent
Specific gravity2.707
Density2.707
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.534
nβ = 1.538
nγ = 1.543
Birefringence0.009
PleochroismNone
2V angleMeasured 58°
Calculated 84°
DispersionWeak
r > v
FusibilityEasily fusible to a transparent glass
SolubilityReadily decomposed by acids
Other characteristics Radioactive 1.12% (K)
Major varieties
FluorcanasiteK3Na3Ca5Si12O30F4 · H2O
FrankameniteK3Na3Ca5(Si12O30)[F,(OH)]4·(H2O)

Properties

It is a relatively rare mineral. It occurs as aggregates in charoite, creating cabochons when contrasted against swirling purple charoite. It is extremely rare for canasite to be faceted. As crystals, it occurs in a size up to 10 cms, but in platy aggregates it can reach up to 20 cms in size. It is also granular.[3] Twinning is usual, and can occur as polysynthetic, which is when multiple twins align in a parallel.[4] It has a barely detectable 1.12% potassium radioactivity based on the GRapi unit (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units).[5] It consists of mostly oxygen (41.98%), silicon (26.8%) and calcium (15.93%), but otherwise contains sodium (7.31%), potassium (6.22%), which gives its radioactive properties, fluorine (1.51%) and hydrogen (0.24%).[4] There are two varieties of canasite: fluorcanasite and frankamenite. Purple canasite may be confused with stichtite, but recent research has found that the mineral advertized as canasite is a new specimen.[6]

Occurrences and localities

Canasite can be found in three localities, all three in Russia. In Khibiny massif, it grows in a differentiated alkalic massif in pegmatites, and in the Murun massif, it grows in charoitic rocks. It also occurs in the Kola Peninsula. In Khibiny massif, it is associated with titanite, eudialyte, orthoclase, nepheline, pyroxene, lamprophyllite and fenaksite, while the specimens from Murun massif are usually associated with charoite, tinaksite and miserite.[2]

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. "Canasite". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  3. "Canasite". National Gem Lab. 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
  4. "ClassicGems.net :: Canasite Gems ::". www.classicgems.net. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  5. "Canasite Mineral Data". webmineral.com. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  6. "Canasite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information". International Gem Society. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
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