Formula:CaZrSi2O7
Sorosilicate (Si2O7 groups), zirconium mineral
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 3.624 calculated
Hardness: 3½ to 4
Streak: White
Colour: Chalky white
Environments
Plutonic igneous environments
Pegmatites
Localities
At the type locality, the Kipawa alkaline complex, Les Lacs-du-Témiscamingue, Témiscamingue RCM, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, Canada,
gittinsite occurs in eudialyte - rich pegmatitic lenses in a regionally metamorphosed
aluminium-poor syenite complex. Associated minerals include
apophyllite, vlasovite,
thorite, pectolite,
eudialyte, fluorite,
graphite, calcite,
mosandrite-(Ce), microcline,
apatite, agrellite and
opal (HOM, Webmin, Mindat). The gittinsite forms fibrous to radiating masses intimately
associated with apophyllite and with a maximum length about 0.1 mm
(AM 66.1274-1275, Mindat).
At the Pajarito Mountain, Otero county, New Mexico, USA, gittinsite occurs as an alteration product of
eudialyte in syenite,
quartz syenite and alkalic
granite, associated with eudialyte,
zircon and chlorite
(HOM).
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