Images
Formula: KNaZrSi3O9.2H2O
Valence: KNaZr4+Si3O9.2H2O
Inosilicate (chain silicate), single chains, zirconium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 2.70 measured, 2.689 calculated
Hardness: 5
Colour: Colourless, white
Luminescence: No fluorescence observed under UV
Common impurities: Fe,Ti
Environments
Plutonic igneous environments
Carbonatites
Localities
At the Vuoriyarvi alkaline-ultrabasic massif, Northern Karelia, Murmansk Oblast, Russia, georgechaoite occurs
in a carbonatite, in
dolomitic veinlets cutting metasomatically altered
pyroxenites, apparently altering from
catapleiite. Associated minerals include
dolomite, strontianite,
phlogopite, baryte,
komkovite and pyrite
(HOM).
At the type locality, Wind Mountain, Cornudas Mountains, Otero County, New Mexico, USA, georgechaoite occurs in
miarolitic cavities up to 2 cm across, in an analcime
nepheline syenite. Associated minerals include
microcline, nepheline,
aegirine, catapleiite,
monazite and a chlorite. Other
minerals found in the cavities but not associated with georgechaoite include
natrolite and chabazite.
The sequence of formation in the miarolitic cavities is: microcline
(earliest), nepheline, analcime,
aegirine, chlorite,
catapleiite, monazite and
georgechaoite (latest)
(CM 23.1-4).
Georgechaoite from Wind Mountain - Image
Back to Minerals