Eudialyte is a relatively rare mineral of igneous origin. On the Kola Peninsula, it is also called "Lappish blood" according to the belief of the local people - the Sami. It rarely forms crystals, occurring mainly in the form of continuous masses. The best examples of eudialyte have a deep crimson color and are translucent in thin plates. Eudialyte is often used as an ornamental material.
You can see eudialyte stone for sale and buy it in the Minerals of Russia online store.
General | |
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Category | Cyclosilicate |
Formula (repeating unit) |
Na15Ca6(Fe,Mn)3Zr3SiO(O,OH,H2O)3 (Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2(OH,Cl)2 |
IMA symbol | Eud |
Strunz classification | 9.CO.10 |
Crystal system | Trigonal |
Crystal class | Hexagonal scalenohedral (3m) H-M symbol: (3 2/m) |
Space group | R3m |
Unit cell | a = 14.31, c = 30.15 [Å]; Z = 12 |
Identification | |
Color | Red, magenta, brown; also blue and yellow |
Crystal habit | Crystals short rhombohedral to long prismatic, granular, irregular masses |
Cleavage | Distinct on {0001} imperfect on {1120} |
Fracture | Uneven |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 5 - 6 |
Luster | Vitreous |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
Specific gravity | 2.74–3.10 |
Optical properties | Uniaxial (+/-) |
Refractive index | nω = 1.606–1.610 nε = 1.610–1.613 |
Birefringence | δ = 0.004 |
Pleochroism | Weak: O= colorless, pale yellow, pink; E= pink to colorless |
Solubility | H2SO4 |