THE
MINERAL XONOTLITE
- Chemistry: Ca6Si6O17(OH)2, Calcium Silicate Hydroxide.
- Class: Silicates
- Subclass: Inosilicates
- Uses: Only as a mineral specimen.
- Specimens
Xonotlite is named for its type locality, Tetela de Xonotla, Puebla, Mexico. It has also been called Eakleite.
It frequently forms tuffs of fine white acicular crystals in veins in serpentine formations and along contact zones.PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Color is Colorless, Gray, Lemon white, Light gray, or Pink.
- Transparency: Specimens are transparent.
- Luster: Vitreous to silky.
- Crystal System is monoclinic.
- Crystal Habits include tuffs of acicular fibers and massive.
- Hardness is 6.5.
- Specific Gravity is approximately 2.7 (average).
- Streak is white.
- Notable Occurrences are Tetela de Xonotla, Puebla, Mexico, Arizona, USA, and South Africa.
- Best Field Indicators are locality, color, crystal habit and hardness.
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