Frankamenite

Frankamenite
General
Category Inosilicates
Formula
(repeating unit)		 K3Na3Ca5(Si12O30)[F,(OH)]4·(H2O)
Strunz classification 09.DG.90
Identification
Color Greenish blue, bluish gray, greenish gray, lilac gray
Crystal habit Lath, columnar
Crystal system Triclinic
Cleavage Good on (010) and (100)
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 5.5
Luster Vitreous
Streak Pale blue
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity 2.68
Optical properties Biaxial positive
Refractive index nα = 1.536 nβ = 1.539 nγ = 1.542
Birefringence 0.0060
Dispersion r < v strong
References [1][2]

Frankamenite is the fluorine-dominate variation of the rare mineral canasite with a general formula of K3Na3Ca5(Si12O30)[F,(OH)]4·(H2O).[1]

Frankamenite belongs to the triclinic crystal system, with the bases of its structure containing Ca-Na mixed octahedra joined by octagonal tubes SiO4 of the composition (Si12O30). Frankamenite has six Ca-Na mixed positions distributed amongst these octahedra, reflecting its varying compositions.[3]

Frankamenite was named for the Russian mineralogist-crystallographer V. A. Frank-Kamentsky (1915–1994), who discovered the mineral.[2]

Frankamenite occurs in association with the rare mineral charoite, which is found only in the Sakha Republic, Yakutia, Siberia, Russia. Here, metasomatism enriches a syenite massif with potassium when it comes into contact with a limestone at around 200–250 °C. This metamorphic process produces a potassium feldspar metasomatite, the typical geological environment for canasite and, therefore, frankamenite. Frankamenite and charoitein are exclusive to the Sakha Republic in this sort of environment, as mineralogists have yet to discover the minerals elsewhere.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Mindat.org
  2. 1 2 Webmineral data
  3. ↑ Rozhdestvenskaya, I.V. and Nikishova, L.V. (1996) The Crystal Structure of Frankamenite. Mineralogical Magazine; 60; 897-905.
  4. ↑ Charoite on Webmineral


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