Bytownite

Bytownite

A somewhat rounded, alluvial crystal of bytownite from the Dorado Mine, Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico (size 3.7 x 2 x 1.3 cm)
General
Category Plagioclase feldspar
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si2O8]
Strunz classification 09.FA.35
Dana classification 76.01.03.05
Crystal system Triclinic
Unit cell a = 8.178 Å, b = 12.870 Å, c = 14.187 Å; α = 93:5° β = 115:9° γ = 90:63°; Z = 8
Identification
Color Colorless, white, gray
Crystal habit Rarely as crystals flattened on [010], commonly as cleavable masses or anhedral grains in massive aggregates
Crystal symmetry Triclinic pinacoidal 1
Twinning Common Albite, Carlsbad, and Pericline twinning
Cleavage Perfect on [001], good on [010], imperfect on [110]
Fracture Uneven to conchoidal
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 6 – 6.5
Luster Vitreous, pearly on cleavages
Streak White
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity 2.72 – 2.74
Optical properties Biaxial (+/-)
Refractive index nα = 1.563 - 1.572 nβ = 1.568 - 1.578 nγ = 1.573 - 1.583
Birefringence δ = 0.010 - 0.011
2V angle Measured: 86°, Calculated: 80° to 88°
Dispersion r > v strong
References [1][2][3]

Bytownite is a calcium rich member of the plagioclase solid solution series of feldspar minerals. It is usually defined as having "%An" between 70 and 90. Like others of the series, bytownite forms grey to white triclinic crystals commonly exhibiting the typical plagioclase twinning and associated fine striations.

The specific gravity of bytownite varies between 2.74 and 2.75. The refractive indices ranges are nα=1.563 – 1.572, nβ=1.568 – 1.578, and nγ=1.573 – 1.583. Precise determination of these two properties with chemical, X-ray diffraction, or petrographic analysis are required for identification.

Occurrence

Bytownite from Crystal Bay, Minnesota

Bytownite is a rock forming mineral occurring in mafic igneous rocks such as gabbros and anorthosites. It also occurs as phenocrysts in mafic volcanic rocks. It is rare in metamorphic rocks. It is typically associated with pyroxenes and olivine.[2]

The mineral was first described in 1835 and named for an occurrence at Bytown (now Ottawa), Canada.[1] Other noted occurrences in Canada include the Shawmere anorthosite in Foleyet Township, Ontario, and on Yamaska Mountain, near Abbotsford, Quebec. It occurs on Rùm island, Scotland and Eycott Hill, near Keswick, Cumberland, England. It is reported from Naaraodal, Norway and in the Bushveld complex of South Africa. It is also found in Isa Valley, Western Australia.[2]

In the US it is found in the Stillwater igneous complex of Montana; from near Lakeview, Lake County, Oregon. It occurs in the Lucky Cuss mine, Tombstone, Arizona; and from the Grants district, McKinley County, New Mexico. In the eastern US it occurs at Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania and Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania.[2]

Uses

Bytownite is occasionally used in jewelry. As a gemstone, bytownite is usually faceted with the transparent gems varying in color from a pale, straw yellow to a light brown. A variety from Mexico has been marketed under the trademarked name "Golden Sunstone" (but is distinct from the various sunstone gemstone varieties).

Bytownite from USA

References

External links

 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bytownite". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

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