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Formula: (K,☐)(Ca,Na)2ThSi8O20.nH2O
Hydrated cyclosilicate, steacyite group,
thorium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Tetragonal
Specific gravity: measured, calculated
Hardness: 5½ to 6
Colour: Brown, apple-green
Environments
Sedimentary environments
Pegmatites
Turkestanite occurs in alkaline to subalkaline massifs, associated with
microcline, pectolite,
quartz, aegirine and
calcite
(HOM).
Localities
There are two co-type localities, the Dzhelisu Massif, Upper Khodzhaachkan River, Sokh Valley, Batken Region,
Kyrgyzstan and the Dara-i-Pioz Massif, Districts of Republican Subordination, Tajikistan.
At the Dzhelisu Massif, Upper Khodzhaachkan River, Sokh Valley, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan, turkestanite forms
deformed prisms, 2 to 50 mm across, in various shades of brown. It occurs in
albitised sandy shales in the
contact aureole of the massif, which consists largely of albitised
nepheline syenites
(AM 83.11.1348-1349).
Turkestanite from the Dzhelisu Massif -
Image
At the Dara-i-Pioz Massif, Districts of Republican Subordination, Tajikistan, turkestanite occurs as
apple-green prisms, 0.5 to 5 mm across. It was found in a boulder of
microcline, pectolite,
quartz, aegirine and
calcite near the alkaline to subalkine intrusions of the massif
(AM 83.11.1348-1349).
Turkestanite from the Dara-i-Pioz Massif -
Image
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