Bytownite

Bytownite
A somewhat rounded, alluvial crystal of bytownite from the Dorado Mine, Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico (size 3.7 × 2 × 1.3 cm)
General
CategoryPlagioclase feldspar
Formula
(repeating unit)		(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si2O8]
Strunz classification9.FA.35
Dana classification76.01.03.05
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Unit cella = 8.178 Å, b = 12.870 Å,
c = 14.187 Å; α = 93:5°,
β = 115:9°, γ = 90:63°; Z = 8
Identification
ColorColorless, white, gray
Crystal habitRarely as crystals flattened on [010], commonly as cleavable masses or anhedral grains in massive aggregates
TwinningCommon Albite, Carlsbad, and Pericline twinning
CleavagePerfect on [001], good on [010], imperfect on [110]
FractureUneven to conchoidal
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness6 – 6.5
LusterVitreous, pearly on cleavages
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity2.72 – 2.74
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+/−)
Refractive indexnα = 1.563 – 1.572 nβ = 1.568 – 1.578 nγ = 1.573 – 1.583
Birefringenceδ = 0.010 – 0.011
2V angleMeasured: 86°, Calculated: 80° to 88°
Dispersionr > v strong
References[1][2][3]

Bytownite is a calcium rich member of the plagioclase solid solution series of feldspar minerals with composition between anorthite and labradorite. It is usually defined as having between 70 and 90%An (formula: (Ca0.7−0.9Na0.3−0.1)[Al(Al,Si)Si2O8]). Like others of the series, bytownite forms grey to white triclinic crystals commonly exhibiting the typical plagioclase twinning and associated fine striations.

The specific gravity of bytownite varies between 2.74 and 2.75. The refractive indices ranges are nα=1.563 – 1.572, nβ=1.568 – 1.578, and nγ=1.573 – 1.583. Precise determination of these two properties with chemical, X-ray diffraction, or petrographic analysis are required for identification.

Occurrence

Bytownite from Crystal Bay, Minnesota

Bytownite is a rock forming mineral occurring in mafic igneous rocks such as gabbros and anorthosites. It also occurs as phenocrysts in mafic volcanic rocks. It is rare in metamorphic rocks. It is typically associated with pyroxenes and olivine.[2]

The mineral was first described in 1836[4] and named for an occurrence at Bytown (now Ottawa), Canada.[1] Other noted occurrences in Canada include the Shawmere anorthosite in Foleyet Township, Ontario, and on Yamaska Mountain, near Abbotsford, Quebec. It occurs on Rùm island, Scotland and Eycott Hill, near Keswick, Cumberland, England. It is reported from Naaraodal, Norway and in the Bushveld complex of South Africa. It is also found in Isa Valley, Western Australia.[2]

In the US it is found in the Stillwater igneous complex of Montana; from near Lakeview, Lake County, Oregon. It occurs in the Lucky Cuss mine, Tombstone, Arizona; and from the Grants district, McKinley County, New Mexico. In the eastern US it occurs at Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania and Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Mindat with locations
  2. ^ a b c d Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ Webmineral data
  4. ^ Thomas Thomson, Outlines of Mineralogy, Geology, and Mineral Analysis, vol. I, Baldwin & Cradock, Londres, 1836, p. 372
  • Hurlbut, Cornelius S.; Klein, Cornelis, 1985, Manual of Mineralogy, 20th ed., Wiley, ISBN 0-471-80580-7

Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bytownite" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.