Burpalite

Formula:  Na₂CaZrSi₂O₇F₂

Origin of name:  After locality; Burpalinskii massif, near Lake Baikal, Russia

Crystal system:  Monoclinic

Crystal class:  2/m

Twinning:

Unit cell:

Colour:  Colourless with weak yellowish tint

Diaphaneity:  Transparent to translucent

Luster:  Vitreous

Habit:  Tablets to 0.3 x 1 x 5 mm, commonly fan shaped intergrown with lavenite

Hardness:  5 to 6

Specific gravity:  3.33

Cleavage:  None

Tenacity:

Streak:  White

Synonyms/varieties:

Comments:  Readily soluble in 10% HCl; glows weak yellow-orange in X-rays