Hectorite

Infobox mineral
name = Hectorite
category =
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imagesize = 200
caption = Hectorite from California
formula = Na_0.4Mg_2.7Li_0.3Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
molweight =
color = White
habit = Thin laths and aggregates
system = Monoclinic
twinning =
cleavage = [001] Perfect
fracture = Uneven
mohs = 1 - 2
luster = Earthy (dull)
refractive = nα = 1.490 nβ = 1.500 nγ = 1.520
opticalprop = Biaxial - 2V small
birefringence = δ = 0.030 max.
pleochroism = Colorless
streak = White
gravity = 2-3 (Avg 2.5)
density =
melt =
fusibility =
diagnostic =
solubility =
diaphaneity = Translucent to Opaque
other =
references = http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/hectorite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy] ["Hectorite Mineral Data" Mineralology Database. ] [Ralph, Jololyn and Ida (2007): "Hectorite" Mineral information and data. Mineralology Database. http://www.mindat.org/min-1841.html ]

Hectorite is a soft, greasy clay mineral that forms near Hector, California (in San Bernardino County). The mineral is rare in that it is found primarily in one mine. The chemical composition of hectorite includes: sodium, lithium, magnesium, silicon, hydrogen and oxygen. Hectorite is mostly used in the manufacturing of cosmetics, but has uses in chemical and other industrial applications.

Hectorite occurs with bentonite as an alteration product of clinoptilolite from volcanic ash and tuff with a high glass content.

References