Mineralpedia Details for Datolite
Datolite
Named after a translation of a Greek word meaning “to divide,” after the granular structure of the minerals massive variety of formation and habit. Datolite is a relatively uncommon mineral that occurs as a secondary mineral in mafic igneous rocks, geodes, tuffs, skarn in limestone, serpentinites, hornblende schist, and some ore veins. Localities for fine specimens of Datolite include in Norway, Germany, Italy, Austria, Japan, Russia, the USA, and Mexico, among many others. Datolite can fluoresce blue, commonly, under short-wave ultraviolet light.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/datolite.pdf
- Formula
- CaBSiO4(OH)
- Crystal System
- Monoclinic
- Crystal Habit
- Prismatic, Granular, Porcelainous
- Cleavage
- None, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous (Glassy)
- Color
- brown, colorless, yellow, white, light green
- Streak
- white
- Class
- Monoclinic - Prismatic
- Fracture
- Brittle
- Hardness
- 5.5
- WebMineral
- View Datolite
- Mindat
- View Datolite
Datolite from Charcas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Light green lustrous, euhedral crystals to 1.5cm on edge.
Datolite from Dal'negorsk, Primorsky Kray, Russia
A choice specimen of translucent green Datolite with several crystal faces.
