{{Short description|Silicate mineral}} {{Infobox mineral|boxtextcolor=black|boxbgcolor=#e7fc6b|name=Canasite|image=Canasite-122713.jpg|formula=K<sub>3</sub>Na<sub>3</sub>Ca<sub>5</sub>Si<sub>12</sub>O<sub>30</sub>(OH)<sub>4</sub>| IMAsymbol=Cns<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Warr|first=L.N.|date=2021|title=IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols|journal=Mineralogical Magazine|volume=85|issue=3 |pages=291–320|doi=10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |bibcode=2021MinM...85..291W |s2cid=235729616 |doi-access=free}}</ref> |strunz=09.DG.80|system=Monoclinic|dana=78.05.04.01|class=Monoclinic-Prismatic|unit cell=1,596.05|color=Brownish Yellow, Green Yellow, Light Green|twinning=Polysynthetic|cleavage=Perfect 1 direction, good 1 direction|fracture=Splintery|mohs=5 - 6|luster=Vitreous|opticalprop=Biaxial (-)|refractive=n<sub>α</sub> = 1.534 <br/>n<sub>β</sub> = 1.538 <br/>n<sub>γ</sub> = 1.543|birefringence=0.009|pleochroism=None|2V=Measured 58° <br/>Calculated 84°|dispersion=Weak <br/>r > v|streak=White, Clear|gravity=2.707|density=2.707|fusibility=Easily fusible to a transparent glass|solubility=Readily decomposed by acids|diaphaneity=Transparent, translucent|other=25px Radioactive 1.12% (K)|var1=Fluorcanasite|var1text=K<sub>3</sub>Na<sub>3</sub>Ca<sub>5</sub>Si<sub>12</sub>O<sub>30</sub>F<sub>4</sub> · H2O|var2=Frankamenite|var2text=K<sub>3</sub>Na<sub>3</sub>Ca<sub>5</sub>(Si<sub>12</sub>O<sub>30</sub>)[F,(OH)]<sub>4</sub>·(H<sub>2</sub>O)}}
'''Canasite''' is a mineral whose name is derived from its chemical composition of calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and silicon (Si).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Canasite|url=https://www.mindat.org/min-878.html|access-date=2021-06-22|website=www.mindat.org}}</ref> It was approved in 1959 by IMA.
== Properties == It is a relatively rare mineral. It occurs as aggregates in charoite, creating cabochons when contrasted against swirling purple charoite. It is extremely rare for canasite to be faceted. As crystals, it occurs in a size up to 10 cms, but in platy aggregates it can reach up to 20 cms in size. It is also granular.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-06|title=Canasite|url=https://nationalgemlab.in/canasite/|access-date=2021-08-13|website=National Gem Lab|language=en-US}}</ref> Twinning is usual, and can occur as polysynthetic, which is when multiple twins align in a parallel.<ref name=":1" /> It has a barely detectable 1.12% potassium radioactivity based on the GRapi unit (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canasite Mineral Data|url=http://webmineral.com/data/Canasite.shtml|access-date=2021-06-22|website=webmineral.com}}</ref> It consists of mostly oxygen (41.98%), silicon (26.8%) and calcium (15.93%), but otherwise contains sodium (7.31%), potassium (6.22%), which gives its radioactive properties, fluorine (1.51%) and hydrogen (0.24%).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=ClassicGems.net :: Canasite Gems ::|url=http://www.classicgems.net/gem_canasite.htm|access-date=2021-06-22|website=www.classicgems.net}}</ref> There are two varieties of canasite: fluorcanasite and frankamenite. Purple canasite may be confused with stichtite, but recent research has found that the mineral advertised as canasite is a new specimen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canasite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information |url=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/canasite-jewelry-gemstone-information/ |access-date=2020-10-13 |website=International Gem Society |language=en}}</ref>
== Occurrences and localities == Canasite has been found in three localities, all in Russia. In Khibiny massif, it grows in a differentiated alkalic massif in pegmatites, and in the Murun massif, it grows in charoitic rocks. It also occurs in the Kola Peninsula. In Khibiny massif, it is associated with titanite, eudialyte, orthoclase, nepheline, pyroxene, lamprophyllite and fenaksite, while the specimens from Murun massif are usually associated with charoite, tinaksite and miserite.<ref name=":0" />
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Minerals