Datolite
| Colour | White, Green, Clear, Gray, Yellow |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5 to 5.5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous, rarely subresinous on fracture surface |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent, rarely opaque |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven |
| Chemical formula | CaBSiO 4 (OH) |
| Specific gravity | 2.96 – 3.00 |
What is Datolite?
Datolite is a calcium boron hydroxide nesosilicate, CaBSiO4(OH). It was first observed by Jens Esmark in 1806, and named by him from δατεῖσθαι, "to divide," and λίθος, "stone," in allusion to the granular structure of the massive mineral.
How to identify Datolite
- Lustre: Vitreous, rarely subresinous on fracture surface.
- Hardness: Mohs 5 to 5.5 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Habit: Monoclinic crystal system.
Datolite in different forms
Stones often confused with Datolite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Datolite?
Datolite is Mohs 5 to 5.5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Datolite?
Datolite is typically white, green, clear, gray, yellow (Colorless or white; may be grayish, yellow, green, pale green, red, pink, etc).