Taramite

Formula: Na(CaNa)Fe₃AlFe(Si₆Al₂)O₂₂(OH)₂

Origin of name: after locality Walitarama, Mariupol, Ukraine

Crystal system: Monoclinic

Crystal class: 2/m

Twinning:

Unit cell: a = 9.952, b = 18.101, c = 5.322, β = 105.4°

Colour: Blue-green, black with tinges of blue or green

Diaphaneity: Transparent to translucent

Luster: Vitreous

Habit: crystals prismatic, subhedral to euhedral, as grains and rims on other amphiboles

Hardness: 5 to 6

Specific gravity: 3.50

Cleavage: 1 {110} perfect, intersection at about 56° and 124°, partings on {100} and {001}

Tenacity: Brittle

Streak: Greenish gray

Synonyms/varieties: Aluminotaramite

Comments: series with magnesiotaramite