Dresserite

dresserite

weloganite

dawsonite

gibbsite

Images

Formula: Ba₂Al₄(CO₃)₄(OH)₈.3H₂O
Hydrated carbonate containing hydroxyl, dresserite group
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 2.96 measured, 3.06 calculated
Hardness: 2½ to 3
Streak: White
Colour: White
Solubility: Readily soluble with effervescence in dilute hydrochloric acid
Environments

Carbonatites

Dresserite is a rare mineral that to date (November 2021) has been found only at the type locality.

Localities

At the type locality, the Francon quarry, Montréal, Quebec, Canada, dresserite occurs in cavities in an alkalic sill intruding limestone. Associated minerals include weloganite, plagioclase, quartz, dawsonite and a powdery hydrous aluminum oxide which gives an x-ray diffraction pattern similar to that of gibbsite (CM 10.84-89).

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