Benstonite

Overview

(Ba,Sr)6(Ca,Mn)6Mg(CO3)13
Fluorescence: yellow to red under SW and LW	Not Radioactive	Magnetic: no

Description

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	3.596-3.66 g/cc
Hardness - Mohs	Benstonite - 3.0-4.0  10 Diamond 9 Carborundum 8 Topaz 7 Quartz 6 Orthoclase 5 Apatite 4 Fluorite 3 Calcite 2 Gypsum 1 Talc
Color	white, brown, yellow
Streak	white

Crystal Properties

Property	Value
Crystal structure	trigonal - pyramidal
Cleavage	good
Tenacity	-
Fracture	-
Luster	vitreous, glassy

Similar Minerals

Dana Number : 14.02.03.01

Class: 14

Group: 14.02

Subgroup: 14.02.03 - benstonite

Dana Number	Mineral Name	Formula
14.02.03.01	benstonite	(Ba,Sr)6(Ca,Mn)6Mg(CO3)13

Nickel-Strunz Number : 05.AB.55

Group : 05

Subgroup : AB

Nickel-Strunz Number	Mineral Name	Formula
05.AB.55	benstonite	(Ba,Sr)6(Ca,Mn)6Mg(CO3)13

Specimens

Localities

Uses