Canasite Explained

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Canasite
Formula:K3Na3Ca5Si12O30(OH)4
Imasymbol:Cns[1]
Strunz:09.DG.80
System:Monoclinic
Dana:78.05.04.01
Class:Monoclinic-Prismatic
Unit Cell:1,596.05
Color:Brownish Yellow, Green Yellow, Light Green
Twinning:Polysynthetic
Cleavage:Perfect 1 direction, good 1 direction
Fracture:Splintery
Mohs:5 - 6
Luster:Vitreous
Opticalprop:Biaxial (-)
Refractive:nα = 1.534
nβ = 1.538
nγ = 1.543
Birefringence:0.009
Pleochroism:None
2V:Measured 58°
Calculated 84°
Dispersion:Weak
r > v
Streak:White, Clear
Gravity:2.707
Density:2.707
Fusibility:Easily fusible to a transparent glass
Solubility:Readily decomposed by acids
Diaphaneity:Transparent, translucent
Other: Radioactive 1.12% (K)
Var1:Fluorcanasite
Var1text:K3Na3Ca5Si12O30F4 · H2O
Var2:Frankamenite
Var2text:K3Na3Ca5(Si12O30)[F,(OH)]4·(H2O)

Canasite is a mineral whose name is derived from its chemical composition of calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and silicon (Si).[2] It was approved in 1959 by IMA.

Properties

It is a relatively rare mineral. It occurs as aggregates in charoite, creating cabochons when contrasted against swirling purple charoite. It is extremely rare for canasite to be faceted. As crystals, it occurs in a size up to 10 cms, but in platy aggregates it can reach up to 20 cms in size. It is also granular.[3] Twinning is usual, and can occur as polysynthetic, which is when multiple twins align in a parallel. It has a barely detectable 1.12% potassium radioactivity based on the GRapi unit (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units).[4] It consists of mostly oxygen (41.98%), silicon (26.8%) and calcium (15.93%), but otherwise contains sodium (7.31%), potassium (6.22%), which gives its radioactive properties, fluorine (1.51%) and hydrogen (0.24%).[5] There are two varieties of canasite: fluorcanasite and frankamenite. Purple canasite may be confused with stichtite, but recent research has found that the mineral advertized as canasite is a new specimen.[6]

Occurrences and localities

Canasite has been found in three localities, all in Russia. In Khibiny massif, it grows in a differentiated alkalic massif in pegmatites, and in the Murun massif, it grows in charoitic rocks. It also occurs in the Kola Peninsula. In Khibiny massif, it is associated with titanite, eudialyte, orthoclase, nepheline, pyroxene, lamprophyllite and fenaksite, while the specimens from Murun massif are usually associated with charoite, tinaksite and miserite.

Notes and References

  1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3 . 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43 . 2021MinM...85..291W . 235729616 . free.
  2. Web site: Canasite. 2021-06-22. www.mindat.org.
  3. Web site: 2017-03-06. Canasite. 2021-08-13. National Gem Lab. en-US.
  4. Web site: Canasite Mineral Data. 2021-06-22. webmineral.com.
  5. Web site: ClassicGems.net :: Canasite Gems ::. 2021-06-22. www.classicgems.net.
  6. Web site: Canasite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information . 2020-10-13 . International Gem Society . en.