Glaucophane

Description

A double chain silicate (amphibole) type mineral that typically occurs as blue-gray sheets. Glaucophane is found in dense metamorphic rocks, such as basalts. Significant deposits have been discovered in Greece (Cyclades Islands, Syra Island), Italy (St. Marcel, Val d'Aosta, Piollore), Wales (Anglesey), Australia, Japan, and the US (Kodiak Islands, California). The pleochroic mineral changes colors from yellow to violet to blue when a thin section is viewed in plane polarized light.

Synonyms and Related Terms

blue schist; blueschist

FTIR (PMA)

Other Properties

Crystal system=monoclinic (fibrous, granular, or massive) Cleavage=good in two directions (56 and 124 degress). Fracture=brittle, conchoidal Luster=viteous to pearly Streak=grayish blue Nonfluorescent Pleochroic=from yellow to violet to blue-green

Composition	Na2(Mg3Al2)Si8O22(OH)2
Mohs Hardness	6.0-6.5
Density	3.00-3.15

Additional Information

Webminerals: Glaucophane Mineral Galleries: Glaucophane

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• Website address 1 Comment: WebMinerals at http://webmineral.com/data/Glaucophane.shtml (Accessed Jan. 6, 2006) hardness=6.0-6.5, density =3-3.15

• Website address 2 Comment: McGraw-Hill Access Science at http://www.accessscience.com/Encyclopedia/2/29/Est_291100_frameset.html?doi (Accessed Jan. 6, 2006)

• Website address 3 Comment: Geology.about.com at http://geology.about.com/library/bl/images/blglaucophane.htm (Accessed Jan. 6, 2006)

• Website address 4 Comment: Mineral Galleries at http://www.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/glaucoph/glaucoph.htm (Accessed Jan. 6, 2006) hardness=5-6, density = 3-3.2