Halloysite

Formula:  Al2Si2O5(OH)4

Origin of name:   For Baron d'Halloy, first observer

 

Crystal system:  Monoclinic

Crystal class:  m

Twinning:

Unit cell:

 

Colour:  Colourless, white; may be tinted yellowish, brownish, reddish or bluish by impurities

Diaphaneity:

Luster:  Pearly to dull earthy

Habit:  Tubular (on microscopic scale); massive, compact or mealy

Hardness:  2 to 2.5

Specific gravity:  2 to 2.2

Cleavage:  None

Tenacity:

Streak:

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments:  Polymorphous with dickite, kaolinite and nacrite;  occurs as hallooysite-7Ǻ and -10Ǻ polytypes

 

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