Tiptopite

Formula: K2(NA,Ca)2Li3Be6(PO4)6(OH)2.H2O

Origin of name: after locality Tip Top pegmatite, South Dakota, USA

 

Crystal system: Hexagonal

Crystal class: 6

Twinning:

Unit cell: a = 11.66 , c = 4.692

 

Colour: Colourless

Diaphaneity: Transparent to translucent

Luster: Vitreous

Habit: Crystals acicular hexagonal prismatic, elongated, terminated by {0001}, to 3 mm, in radial sprays and divergent bundles

Hardness: about 3.5

Specific gravity: 2.65

Cleavage: None

Tenacity: Brittle, uneven fracture

Streak: White

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments:  Pegmatite mineral

 

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