Cancrinite
| Colour | Yellow, Orange |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5–6 |
| Lustre | Vitreous, greasy, pearly |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Transparency | Transparent, translucent |
| Cleavage | Perfect on {100}, poor on {0001} |
| Fracture | Irregular/uneven |
| Chemical formula | Na 6 Ca 2 [(CO 3 ) 2 | Al 6 Si 6 O 24 ]·2H 2 O |
| Specific gravity | 2.42 – 2.51 |
What is Cancrinite?
Cancrinite is a complex carbonate and silicate of sodium, calcium and aluminium with the formula Na6Ca2[(CO3)2|Al6Si6O24]·2H2O. It is classed as a member of the feldspathoid group of minerals; the alkali feldspars that are poor in silica. Yellow, orange, pink, white or even blue, it has a vitreous or pearly luster; a hardness of 5–6 and an uneven conchoidal fracture. It is unusual among the silicate minerals in that it will effervesce with hydrochloric acid due to the associated carbonate ions.
How to identify Cancrinite
- Lustre: Vitreous, greasy, pearly.
- Hardness: Mohs 5–6 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Hexagonal crystal system.
Cancrinite in different forms
Stones often confused with Cancrinite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Cancrinite?
Cancrinite is Mohs 5–6 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Cancrinite?
Cancrinite is typically yellow, orange (Grey-green, white, yellow, blue, orange, reddish).