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Dominant species
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Cancrinite
Cancrinite
Chemical
Formula
Na6Ca2[(CO3)2|Al6Si6O24]·2H2O
Species
Silicates
Crystal
System
Hexagonal
Mohs
Scale
5-6
Specific
Gravity
2.42-2.51
Color
grey-green, white, yellow, blue, orange, reddish
Streak
white
Luster
Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly
Refractive
Index
n = 1.507 - 1.528 n = 1.495 - 1.503
Diaphaneity
Transparent, Translucent
Cleavage
PerfectPerfect on , poor on
Fracture
Irregular/Uneven
Crystal Habit:Rarely as prismatic crystals.
Geological Setting:Primary mineral in alkalic igneous rocks, alteration product of nepheline.

Cancrinite is a complex carbonate and silicate of sodium, calcium and aluminium with the formula Na6Ca2[(CO3)2|Al6Si6O24]·2H2O. It is classed as a member of the feldspathoid group of minerals; the alkali feldspars that are poor in silica. Yellow, orange, pink, white or even blue, it has a vitreous or pearly lustre; a hardness of 5-6 and an uneven conchoidal fracture. It is unusual among the silicate minerals in that it will effervesce with hydrochloric acid due to the associated carbonate ions.

Found originally in 1839 in the Ural Mountains, it is named after Georg von Cancrin, a Russian minister of finance.