Nabesite Explained

Category:Silicates
Molweight:391.84
Strunz:8/J.0-
Dana:77.1.5.11
System:Orthorhombic
Class:Disphenoidal
Symmetry:P212121 (No. 19)
Unit Cell:a=9.748Å, b=10.133Å, c=12.954Å
Colour:Colourless, white
Habit:Platy, thin/flat
Cleavage:Good
Fracture:Brittle, uneven
Mohs:5-6
Luster:Vitreous
Streak:White
Diaphaneity:Transparent
Gravity:2.16
Density:2.16
Birefringence:0.012

Nabesite is a rare silicate mineral of the zeolite group with the chemical formula Na2BeSi4O10·4(H2O). It occurs as colorless to white orthorhombic crystals in thin platy mica like sheets. It has the zeolite structure. Its Mohs hardness is 5 to 6 and its specific gravity is 2.16. The reported refractive index values are nα=1.499, nβ=1.507, and nγ=1.511.

It was discovered in the Ilimaussaq intrusive complex, of southwest Greenland, and first recognized in 2000. It occurs in tugtupite-bearing albitite, a rare highly alkaline igneous rock.

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