Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Dalnegorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia
SIZE : 12 x 9 x 5.5 cm

This sample is a green-yellow monocrystal of datolite, it measures 12 x 9 x 5.5 cm. One clearly distinguishes some crystal edges.

This sample comes from Dalnegorsk in Russia. The Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle could obtain this specimen thanks to support from Total.

This sample is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Datolite

HISTORY : Name inspired from the Greek [dateishai] meaning "divide" and "λιθοσ" [lithos] meaning "stone" in reference to its fragile reaction to shock

Species described in 1806 by Jens Esmark (1763-1839), Norvegian professor of Mineralogy

Locality-type: Arendal, Norway

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Ca B SiO4 (OH)
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : Colorless to white
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Small prismatic crystals
HARDNESS : 5,0-5,5
DENSITY : 3

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Datolite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/B.29-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.AJ.20

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Datolite

Datolite

MNHN N°193.8

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