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Chemical Formula | Na(Mn,Ca)2Si3O8(OH) |
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Composition | Basic sodium manganese calcium silicate |
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Color | Pink, orange, red, or tan. May oxidize brown or black upon exposure to air. |
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Streak | White |
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Hardness | 5 - 5½ |
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Crystal Forms and Aggregates |
(Triclinic) Occurs in prismatic and tabular crystals. Aggregates include bladed, columnar, encrusting, acicular, radiating, and fibrous. |
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Transparency | Transparent to nearly opaque |
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Specific Gravity | 3.2 - 3.4 |
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Luster | Vitreous, greasy, silky |
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Cleavage | 1,2 - pinacoidal, similar to that of the pyroxene minerals |
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Fracture | Uneven, splintery |
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Tenacity | Brittle |
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In Group | Silicates ; Inosilicates |
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All About | Serandite is a rare mineral except at one locality, where it forms in very attractive crystals. It is probably the most famous mineral from the strange pegmatite occurrence of Mont Saint Hilaire, Quebec. |
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Uses | Serandite is well sought after by mineral collectors, and good specimens are costly. |
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Striking Features | Color, locality, and mineral associations |
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Popularity (1-4) | 3 |
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Prevalence (1-3) | 3 |
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Demand (1-3) | 1 |
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Distinguishing Similar Minerals |
The locality and color of Serandite can distinguish it from virtually all minerals. |
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Commonly Occurs With |
Analcite, Aegirine, Albite, Calcite, Fluorite, Garnet, Natrolite, Vesuvianite, and many of the rare minerals found at Mont Saint Hilaire |
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Noteworthy Localities |
Small amounts of Serandite were found on Rouma Island, Los Islands, Guinea; and in the Gem Mine, San Benito Co., California. However, the finest examples of this mineral occur in relative abundance in Mont Saint Hilaire, Quebec (Canada). Serandite is one of the minerals responsible for making the odd locality of Mont Saint Hilaire famous. |
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