Herschelite

Formula:  (Na,Ca,K)AlSi2O6 . 3H2O

Origin of name:   For John Herschel, British astronomer

 

Crystal system:  Hexagonal

Crystal class:  -3 2/m

Twinning: 

Unit cell: a = 1.99 Ǻ, c = 15.10 Ǻ

 

Colour:  White

Diaphaneity: 

Luster:  Vitreous

Habit:  Hexagonal plates in aggregates

Hardness:  4 to5

Specific gravity:  2.08 to 2.16

Cleavage:  1; {10-11} distinct

Tenacity:  Uneven; brittle

Streak: 

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments: 

 

Back to Alphabetical list Colour photos Thin sections SEM images TEM images vibrational spectra description IR spectra Raman spectra N-IR spectra F-IR spectra IES spectra