Class: Silicates
Group: Zeolite
Original description: ‘Leucit’ Blumenbachs, J. F., 1791. Auszuge und Kezensioneit bergmanischer und mineralogischer Schriften — Bergmannisches Journal 2: 489 [
view in ‘Library’].
Type locality: Monte Somma, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy.
Type material: unknown.
Etymology: from the Greek word
λευκός (leucos) for white, in allusion to its colour.
Distribution: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Germany: Eifel district; Italy: at Vesuvius, Monte Somma, Campania; Tanzania: on Kilimanjaro; Uganda: Ruwenzori; USA: at Magnet Cove, Hot Spring Co., Arkansas (
Anthony et al., 2001—2005).
Chemistry
KAlSi2O6
Essential elements: oxygen (O), aluminium (Al), silicon (Si), potassium (K).
Crystal data
Crystallography: tetragonal — dipyramidal.
Crystal habit: commonly euhedral, pseudocubic crystals, to 9 cm; rarely granular, massive.
Twinning: common and repeated on {110}, {101} (
Anthony et al., 2001—2005).
Material from ‘Repository’