Canasite
| Canasite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Minerals |
| Formula | K3Na3Ca5Si12O30(OH)4 |
| IMA symbol | Cns |
| Strunz classification | 09.DG.80 |
| Dana classification | 78.05.04.01 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Monoclinic-Prismatic |
| Unit cell | 1,596.05 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Brownish Yellow, Green Yellow, Light Green |
| Twinning | Polysynthetic |
| Cleavage | Perfect 1 direction, good 1 direction |
| Fracture | Splintery |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5 - 6 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White, Clear |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent, translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.707 |
| Density | 2.707 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.534 nβ = 1.538 nγ = 1.543 |
| Birefringence | 0.009 |
| Pleochroism | None |
| 2V angle | Measured 58° Calculated 84° |
| Dispersion | Weak r > v |
| Fusibility | Easily fusible to a transparent glass |
| Solubility | Readily decomposed by acids |
| Other characteristics | Radioactive 1.12% (K) |
| Major varieties | |
| Fluorcanasite | K3Na3Ca5Si12O30F4 · H2O |
| Frankamenite | 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). It was approved in 1959 by IMA.