Name: |
neptunite |
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Class: |
Silicates |
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Chemistry: |
(Na,K)3 Li (Fe,Mn)2 Ti2O2 (Si4O11)2 Complex Titanium Silicate |
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Color(s): |
black, red-brown internal reflection |
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Hardness: |
5 - 6 |
SpecGrav: |
3.19 - 3.23 |
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Fracture: |
conchoidal |
Cleavage: |
perfect |
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Crystal: |
monoclinic (sell formed long prisms are common) |
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Envronment: |
hydrothermal replacement deposits, also in nepheline syenite pegmatites. |
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Association: |
benitoite, aegirine, natrolite |
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Locals: |
| USA | California, USA | Canada | Ireland | Greenland | |
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Misc: |
Named after the roman god of the sea, Neptune, because it is often found with Aegirine, and Aegirine is the Norse name for the God of the Sea. |
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Photos |
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1.) San Benito County, California |
4.) Gem Mine, San Benito Co., Calif. |
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