Cancrinite
Species
Uncommon · (Na,Ca,□)₈(Al₆Si₆)O₂₄(CO₃,SO₄)₂·2H₂O
A feldspathoid carrying carbonate in the channels of its framework, formed in alkaline igneous rocks such as nepheline syenite and their pegmatites, often by the alteration of nepheline. Its masses range from pale blue to honey-yellow and orange.
Identity
- Formula
- (Na,Ca,□)₈(Al₆Si₆)O₂₄(CO₃,SO₄)₂·2H₂O
- Chemical class
- Silicate
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Habits
- Prismatic, Massive, Granular
- Fracture
- Uneven
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.45 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Colors
- colorless, white, blue, yellow, orange
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- Transparent, Translucent
Geology
- Origins
- Igneous, Hydrothermal
- Host rocks
- Granite
- Associated minerals
- Nepheline, Sodalite, Natrolite, Orthoclase
- Found in
- Pegmatite deposit
- Geography
- Russia, Canada, Norway
Classification
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Gem quality
- No
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Cancrinite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
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