Turkestanite

turkestanite

aegirine

pectolite

microcline

Images

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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