Eudialyte

Eudialyte
General
Category Mineral
Chemical formula Na15Ca6(Fe,Mn)3Zr3SiO(O,OH,H2O)3(Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2(OH,Cl)2
Identification
Color Red, magenta, brown; also blue and yellow
Crystal habit Granular, tabular
Crystal system Trigonal
Cleavage [0001] Imperfect
Fracture Uneven
Mohs scale hardness 5 - 5.5
Luster Vitreous
Streak White
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity 2.8 - 3
Refractive index 1.598 - 1.602
Pleochroism Weak, brown-red to red-pink to yellow
Solubility H2SO4
Other characteristics Mildly Radioactive

Eudialyte, whose name derives from the Greek phrase Εὖ διάλυτος eu dialytos, meaning "well decomposable", is a somewhat rare, red silicate mineral, which forms in alkaline igneous rocks, such as nepheline syenites. Its name alludes to its ready solubility in acid.[1][2]

Eudialyte was first described in 1819 for an occurrence in nepheline syenite of the Ilimaussaq intrusive complex of southwest Greenland.[1]

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Uses of eudialyte

Eudialyte is used as a minor ore of zirconium. Another use of eudialyte is as a minor gemstone, but this use is limited by its rarity, which is compounded by its poor crystal habit. These factors make eudialyte of primary interest as a collector's mineral.

Associated minerals

Eudialyte is found associated with other alkalic igneous minerals, in addition to the some minerals common to most igneous material in general. These minerals include:

Alternative names

Alternative names of eudialyte include: almandine spar and eudalite. Eucolite is the name of an altered form.

Notes for identification

Eudialyte's rarity makes locality useful in its identification. Prominent localities of eudialyte include Mont Saint-Hilaire in Canada and the Kola Peninsula in Russia, but it is also found in Greenland, Norway, and Arkansas. The lack of crystal habit, associated with color, is also useful for identification, as are associated minerals. A pink-red mineral with no good crystals associated with other alkaline igneous material, especially nepheline and aegirine, is a good indication a specimen is eudialyte.

Eudialyte group

Microchemical (by electron microprobe) and structural analyzes of different eudialyte (and related) samples revealed presence of many new eudialyte-like minerals. These minerals are structurally and chemically related and joined into eudialyte group. The group includes Zr-,OH-, Cl-, F-, CO3- and possibly also SO4-bearing silicates of Na, K, H3O, Ca, Sr, REEs, Mn, Fe, Nb and W. Electron vacancies can be present in their structure, too.

References