Marialite

Marialite is a sodium-rich Scapolite.
General Information
A variety or type of:Scapolite
Chemical Formula
3NaAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
· NaCl
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Physical Properties of Marialite
Mohs Hardness5.5 to 6
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Specific Gravity2.50
E. Ya. Kievlenko, Geology of gems (2003)
More from other references
TenacityBrittle
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Cleavage QualityDistinct
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
FractureUneven,Conchoidal
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Optical Properties of Marialite
Refractive Index1.540 to 1.550
E. Ya. Kievlenko, Geology of gems (2003)
Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Birefringence0.004 to 0.008
E. Ya. Kievlenko, Geology of gems (2003)
Colour
Colour (General)Colorless, white, grey; pink, violet, blue, yellow, brown, orange-brown; colorless in thin section.
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent,Opaque
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
LustreVitreous,Resinous,Pearly
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Commonly fluoresces orange to bright yellow or red under LW or SW or both.
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Crystallography of Marialite
Crystal SystemTetragonal
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
HabitCrystals prismatic, typically with flat pyramidal terminations; granular, massive.
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Geological Environment
Where found:Typically in regionally metamorphosed rocks, especially marbles, calcareous gneisses, granulites, and greenschists. Also in skarns, some pegmatites, pneumatolytically or hydrothermally altered mafic igneous rocks, and ejected volcanic blocks.
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Further Information
Mineral information:Marialite information at mindat.org
Copyright © Jolyon & Katya Ralph 1993-2024. Site Map. Photographs are copyright of the individuals who submitted them. For more information please contact the . Gemdat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free gemmological information to all.