Marialite

Marialite
General
CategoryTectosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
Na4Al3Si9O24Cl
IMA symbolMar[1]
Strunz classification9.FB.15
Crystal systemTetragonal
Crystal classDipyramidal (4/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupI4/m
Unit cella = 12.06 Å, c = 7.572(3) Å; Z = 2
Identification
ColorColorless, white, grey; pink, violet, blue, yellow, brown, orange-brown, pale green or reddish
Crystal habitTypically flat, pyramidal striated crystals; massive, granular
CleavageDistinct on {100} and {110}
FractureUneven to conchoidal
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness5+12–6
LusterVitreous, pearly, resinous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent to opaque
Specific gravity2.55–2.74
Density2.5–2.62 g/cm3
Optical propertiesUniaxial (−)
Refractive indexnω = 1.539–1.550 nε = 1.532–1.541
Birefringenceδ = 0.007 – 0.009
References[2][3][4][5][6]

Marialite is a silicate mineral with a chemical formula of Na4Al3Si9O24Cl[5][6] if a pure endmember or Na4(AlSi3O8)3(Cl2,CO3,SO4) with increasing meionite content.[3] Marialite is a member of the scapolite group and a solid solution exists between marialite and meionite, the calcium endmember.[3] It is a rare mineral usually used as a collector's stone.

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ a b c Klein, C., and Dutrow, B. (2007) The 23rd Edition of the Manual of Mineral Science, 675 p. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  4. ^ Handbook of Mineralogy
  5. ^ a b Mindat.org
  6. ^ a b Webmineral data