Ussingite
Na2AlSi3O8(OH)IMA symbol: Usggrandfathered
Ussingite is a silicate mineral with the formula Na2AlSi3O8(OH), crystallizing in the triclinic system. It has a Mohs hardness of 6.7, typically red or violet in color, with a pearly or vitreous luster, a specific gravity of 2.495. Its streak is white.
Photos




Crystallography
| Crystal system | triclinic crystal systemWikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Space group | P -1 |
| Cell (Å, °) | a = 7.2474, b = 7.6813, c = 8.6432; α = 90.835, β = 99.771, γ = 122.581 |
| Cell volume | 396.295 ų, Z = 2 |
| Axial ratios | 0.9435:1:1.1252calculated from COD 9016498 |
| Source structure | COD 9016498 (Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 2012) — 1 of 2 structures |
Powder X-ray diffraction (calculated)
| d (Å) | 2.985 | 2.729 | 3.553 | 6.499 | 3.756 | 4.224 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I/I₀ | 100 | 60.8 | 58 | 52.9 | 50.3 | 50.2 |
xrd-v1: CuKa1 1.5406A, 2theta 5-90, top10, Imax=100, no DW/PO. Computed from COD 9016498; idealized occupancies, no preferred orientation.
Physical properties
| Density (calculated) | 2.533 g/cm³calculated from COD 9016498 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 6.7single sourceDana's System, 3rd Appendix (1915) |
| Specific gravity | 2.495 g/cm3corroboratedDana's System, 3rd Appendix (1915) |
| Color | red, violetsingle sourceDana's System, 3rd Appendix (1915) |
| Streak | whitesingle sourceWikidata (CC0) |
| Luster | pearly, vitreoussingle sourceDana's System, 3rd Appendix (1915) |
Chemistry (calculated)
| Molecular weight | 302.22 g/molcalculated from the IMA formula |
|---|---|
| Composition (wt%) | Na 15.21%, Al 8.93%, Si 27.88%, O 47.65%, H 0.33% |
Classification
| Nickel-Strunz (10th) | 9.EH.20Wikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Nickel-Strunz (9th) | 9.EH.20Wikidata (CC0) |
| Dana (8th) | 76.3.3.1Wikidata (CC0) |