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Bytownite

Formula:
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
System:TriclinicColour:Colourless, grey, ...
Lustre:Sub-VitreousHardness:6 - 6½
Name:Named after its locality ("Bytown," now Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
A variety of Anorthite

A Plagioclase Feldspar with an Albite : Anorthite molar ratio ranging from 10 : 90 to 30 : 70

The original material, a greenish-white substance, was found in a boulder near Bytown (now Ottawa), and later shown to be a mixture (Robert A. A. Johnston, 1915). This locality now appears to have been lost. Additionally, the original specimens are either extremely rare or no longer exist in collections. Gemmy feldspar pieces are, on occasion, falsely attributed to the original bytownite locality.

Classification of Bytownite

Strunz 8th edition ID:8/J.07-60
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.FA.35

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
A : Tektosilicates without additional non-tetrahedral anions
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.10.1

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
10 : Aluminosilicates of Ca and alkalis
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Physical Properties of Bytownite

Lustre:Sub-Vitreous
Colour:Colourless, grey, greenish-white, or white
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):6 - 6½
Cleavage:Perfect
on [001], good on [010]
Fracture:Step-Like

Crystallography of Bytownite

Crystal System:Triclinic

Optical Data of Bytownite

Type:Biaxial (+/-)
RI values: nα = 1.563 - 1.572 nβ = 1.568 - 1.578 nγ = 1.573 - 1.583
2V:Measured: 86° , Calculated: 80° to 88°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.010 - 0.011

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:r > v strong

Chemical Properties of Bytownite

Formula:
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
Essential elements:Al, Ca, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ca, Na, O, Si

Relationship of Bytownite to other Species

Member of Group:
Feldspar Group:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.FA.05Kaliophilite
K[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Kalsilite
K[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Nepheline
(Na,K)[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Panunzite
(Na,K)[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Trikalsilite
(Na,K)[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Yoshiokaite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O
 
4
]
9.FA.05Megakalsilite
KAlSiO
 
4
9.FA.10Malinkoite
NaBSiO
 
4
9.FA.15Virgilite
LiAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
9.FA.25Lisitsynite
KBSi
 
2
O
 
6
9.FA.30Adularia
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.30Anorthoclase
(Na,K)[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Buddingtonite
(NH
 
4
)[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Celsian
Ba[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Hyalophane
(K,Ba)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Microcline
K[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Orthoclase
K[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Sanidine
K[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Rubicline
(Rb,K)[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Monalbite
Na[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Albite
Na[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Andesine
(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Anorthite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Labradorite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Oligoclase
(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Reedmergnerite
Na[BSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.40Paracelsian
Ba[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.45Svyatoslavite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.45Kumdykolite
NaAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.50Slawsonite
(Sr,Ca)[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.55Lisetite
CaNa
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
16
9.FA.60Banalsite
BaNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
9.FA.60Stronalsite
SrNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
9.FA.65Danburite
CaB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.65Maleevite
BaB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.65Pekovite
SrB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.70Lingunite
(Na,Ca)AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.75Kokchetavite
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
16.10.2Lisetite
CaNa
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
16
16.10.4Thomsonite-Ca
NaCa
 
2
[Al
 
5
Si
 
5
O
 
20
] · 6H
 
2
O
16.10.5Gonnardite
Na
 
2
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
]
 
2
· 7H
 
2
O
16.10.6Mesolite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
]
 
3
· 8H
 
2
O
16.10.7Faujasite
16.10.8Garronite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
5
Al
 
12
Si
 
20
O
 
64
·27H
 
2
O
16.10.9Boggsite
Ca
 
8
Na
 
3
(Si,Al)
 
96
O
 
192
·70H
 
2
O
16.10.10Herschelite
16.10.11Phillipsite
16.10.12Fedorite
(Na,K)
 
2-3
(Ca
 
4
Na
 
3
)Si
 
16
O
 
38
F
 
2
· 3.5H
 
2
O
16.10.13Willhendersonite
KCa[Al
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
] · 5H
 
2
O
16.10.14Barrerite
(Na,K,Ca
 
0.5
)
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
7
O
 
18
] · 7H
 
2
O
16.10.15Mordenite
(Na
 
2
,Ca,K
 
2
)Al
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
24
·7H
 
2
O
16.10.16Reyerite
(Na,K)
 
2
Ca
 
14
(Si,Al)
 
24
O
 
58
(OH)
 
8
·6H
 
2
O
16.10.17Lévyne
16.10.18Clinoptilolite
16.10.19Heulandite
16.10.20Gobbinsite
Na
 
4
(Ca,Mg,K
 
2
)Al
 
6
Si
 
10
O
 
32
·12H
 
2
O
16.10.21Stilbite
16.10.22Dachiardite
16.10.23Offretite
KCaMgAl
 
5
Si
 
13
O
 
36
·16H
 
2
O or near
16.10.24Perlialite
K
 
9
Na(Ca,Sr)[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
]
 
6
· 15H
 
2
O
16.10.25Erionite
16.10.26Paulingite
16.10.27Sodium Dachiardite
(Na
 
2
,Ca,K
 
2
)
 
4-5
Al
 
8
Si
 
40
O
 
96
·26H
 
2
O
16.10.28Mazzite-Mg
K
 
2
Mg
 
2
Ca
 
1.5
Al
 
9.5
Si
 
26.5
O
 
72
·28H
 
2
O or near
16.10.29Roggianite
Ca
 
2
Be(OH)
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
13
·2.5H
 
2
O

Other Names for Bytownite

Other Languages:
Dutch:Bytowniet
Estonian:Bütauniit
German:Bytownit
Hebrew:בייטאוניט
Italian:Bytownite
Lithuanian:Bitovnitas
Portuguese:Bytownita
Russian:Битовнит
Serbian (Cyrillic Script):Битовнит
Spanish:Bytownita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Bytownite

Reference List:Jonhston, R.A.A. "A list of Canadian Mineral Occurrences," GSC Memoir 74, 1915.

Internet Links for Bytownite

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    Localities for Bytownite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Algeria
     
    • Skikda Province
      • Collo
        • Cape Bougaroun
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1996, 8, pp. 625-638.
    Angola
     
    • Huíla Province
      • Lubango City Council
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1001-1024.
    Antarctica
    AmMin 36:361-367
    AmMin 36:361-367
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Yancowinna Co.
    Birch BH Book
      • Yungnulgra Co.
        • White Cliffs
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1991, 3, pp. 293-322.
    • Northern Territory
      • Jervois
    Huckitta 1996
    Zia U. Bajwah, Huckitta 1:250 000 Mineral deposit data series, Northern Territory Geological Survey, 1994
    • Tasmania
      • Huon district
    No reference listed
    • Western Australia
      • Wyngelina
    Trommsdorff, V., and Wenk, H.-R. (1968): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 19, 158-168.
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Friesach - Hüttenberg area
        • Hüttenberg
    H. Meixner: 32(3):85-97 (1981)
    G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
          • Mosinzgraben
            • Mosinz
    H. Meixner: Carinthia II 157./77.:88-89 (1967)
      • Karawanken Mts
    G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    • Lower Austria
      • Dunkelsteinerwald
        • Aggsbach Dorf
    D.A. Carswell et al., Eur.J. Mineral., 1989, 1, pp. 455-466.
      • Waldviertel
        • Krems an der Donau
          • Senftenberg
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    • Styria
      • Graz
        • Wildon
          • Weitendorf
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Victoria Mining Division
        • Vancouver Island
    • Ontario
      • Carleton Co.
        • Gloucester Township
    António Manuel Ináçio Martins.
      • Haliburton Co.
        • Monmouth Township
          • Tory Hill
      • Rainy River District
        • Fort Frances
          • Mine Centre
            • Bad Vermilion Lake
    T. Tagai et al. , Eur. Journ. Mineral. , 1992, 4, pp. 299-305.
    China
     
    • Anhui Province
      • Anqing Prefecture
        • Yuexi Co.
          • Wumiao
            • Marble quarry
    • Fujian Province
      • Fuzhou Prefecture
        • Pingtan Co.
    Jiyue Xue, Yanfeng Cai, and Xiaoning Zhao (1999): Geological Journal of China Universities 5(2), 170-174.
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Ngari Prefecture
        • Gêrzê (Gaize) Co.
    Bao Peisheng, Xiao Xuchang, Su Li, and Wang Jun (2007): Science in China, Series D (Earth Sciences), 50(5), 660-671.
    Costa Rica
     
    • Alajuela Province
    Czech Republic
     
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Jihlava (Iglau)
          • Stonařov (Stannern)
    von Engelhardt, W. (1963): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 9, 65-94.
    El Salvador
     
    • Sonsonate Department
    www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/central_america/el_salvador/izalco/petro.html a
    France
     
    • Franche-Comté
      • Haute-Saône
        • Château-Lambert
    F. André and J. Béhien, Bull. Minéral. , France, 1983, 106, pp. 341-351.
    F. André and J. Béhien, Bull. Minéral. , France, 1983, 106, pp. 341-351.
    F. André and J. Béhien, Bull. Minéral. , France, 1983, 106, pp. 341-351.
    F. André and J. Béhien, Bull. Minéral. , France, 1983, 106, pp. 341-351.
          • Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle
    F. André and J. Béhien, Bull. Minéral. , France, 1983, 106, pp. 341-351.
    • Rhône-Alpes
      • Drôme
        • Romans-sur-Isère
          • Saint-Jean-en-Royans
    M. Christophe Michel-Lévy, Bull. Minéral. , 1987, 110, pp. 449-458.
    French West Indies
     
    • Lesser Antilles
      • Guadeloupe
        • Basse-Terre
    Ch. Lefèvre and Ph. Cocusse, Bull. Minéral. , 1985, 108, pp. 189-208.
    Germany
     
    • Hesse
      • Gießen (Giessen)
        • Großen-Buseck
    S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • Bad Harzburg
    No reference listed
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
              • Ettringer Bellerberg Mt. (Bellberg Mt.; Bellenberg Mt.; Billenberg Mt.; Boilenberg Mt.)
    Blass, G., Emmerich, F., Graf, HW., Schäfer, Ch., Tschörtner, J., (2006): Minerale der Eifelvulkane, Version 1.0, CD, published by authors
    Greece
     
    • Thraki (Thrace; Thracia) Department
      • Komotini (Rodopi; Rhodope) Prefecture
        • Thermes
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1994, 6, pp. 733-738.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    www.dinet.it/Mineral-GMC/AMI/vesuvio.html.
    • Sicily
      • Siracusa Province
        • Melilli
    S. Tonarini et al. , Eur. J. Mineral. , 1996, 8, pp. 1153-1173.
      • Trapani Province
    Journal of Petrology (1998)
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Miyagi Prefecture
    Dr. Yohachiro Okamoto collection (curated at Geological Survey museum, Japan)
    Madagascar
     
    • Antananarivo Province
      • Vakinankaratra Region (Betafo - Antsirabé region)
        • Antsirabé 2 District
    Rakotondrazafy, A.F.M., Giuliani, G., Ohnenstetter, D., Fallick, A.E., Rakotosamizanany, S., Andriamamonjy, A., Ralantoarison, T., Razanatseheno, M., Offant, Y., Garnier, V., Maluski, H., Dunaigre, C., Schwarz, D., and Ratrimo, V. (2008): Ore Geology Reviews 34, 134-154.
    • Tuléar (Toliara) Province
      • Anosy (Fort Dauphin) Region
        • Amboasary District
          • Tranomaro Commune
    Rapport Annuel du Serv.Geol.Mad 1955
    Mexico
     
    • Durango
    www.asahi-net.or.jp/~UG7S-KTU/e_bytown.htm
    Norway
     
    • Finnmark
      • Hasvik
    Bøe, P. (2001): Geologi og mineralogi på Sørøya i Finnmark. Bergverksmuseets Skrift 18, 23-29
    • Jan Mayen Island
    www.albany.edu/geosciences/cwhitems.html.
    Pacific Ocean
     
    • East Pacific Rise
    R. Hekinian et al. , Bull. Minéral. , 1985, 108, pp. 691-698.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
    Mazurov, M.P., Grishina, S.N., Istomin, V.E., and Titov, A.T. (2007): Geology of Ore Deposits 49(4), 271-284.
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
    [World of Stones 12:49]
    • Northern Region
      • Karelia Republic
        • Northern Karelia
          • Oulanka plutonic complex
            • Olanga (Oulanka) River
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1227-1233.
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Cérová Mts
    Koděra et all.,1990: Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, I-III, 1590p
      • Štiavnica Mts
        • Banská Štiavnica Mining District
    Koděra et all.,1990: Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, I-III, 1590p
    • Nitra Region
      • Štiavnické Mts
        • Levice
    Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    • Prešov Region
      • Northern Slanské Mts
        • Červenica (Czerwenitza)
    Duda,R. et. all.,1981: MIneralogia severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovaca,Monografia 2, Bratislava, 98p
    Ďuďa,R., et al., 1981: Mineralógia severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovaca, Monografia 2, 98s
    Duda et. all.,1981:Minerály severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovca,Monografia 2,Bratislava, 98 p
    Spain
     
    • Aragón
      • Huesca
        • Camporrells
    B. Azambre et al. , Bull. Minéral; , 1987, 110, pp. 379-396.
        • Estopiñán del Castillo
    B. Azambre et al. , Bull. Minéral; , 1987, 110, pp. 379-396.
        • Sopeira
    B. Azambre et al. , Bull. Minéral; , 1987, 110, pp. 379-396.
    • Cantabria
      • Santander
    B. Azambre et al. , Bull. Minéral; , 1987, 110, pp. 379-396.
    B. Azambre et al. , Bull. Minéral; , 1987, 110, pp. 379-396.
    Sweden
     
    • Småland
      • Jönköping
        • Månsarp
    S.Hjelmqvist: The titaniferous iron-ore deposit of Taberg in the southern part of Sweden. SGU C 512, 1950
    Switzerland
     
    • Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden)
      • Bregaglia Valley (Bergell)
        • Löbbia
    Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 297.
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cumbria
        • North and Western Region (Cumberland)
          • Keswick District
            • Keswick
    Mark J E - Notes on teh Geology of teh English Lake District Proceedings of teh Geologists' Assoc. Vol 16 No. 9, Aug 1900 p.455
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Tombstone Hills
          • Tombstone District
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 330.
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Crestmore
    Daly, John W. (1935) Paragenesis of mineral assemblages at Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 20: 638-659. Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 351-381. micromounts@yahoogroups.com
    • Colorado
      • Chaffee Co.
        • Sedalia District
    ("Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997)
    • Connecticut
    Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State
    • Georgia
      • Elbert Co.
    Minerals of Georgia: Their properties and occurrences. Robert Cook GGWRD Bull 92
      • Jasper Co.
        • Monticello
    Rocks & Min.:64:198.
    Minerals of Georgia: Their properties and occurrences. Robert Cook GGWRD Bull 92
      • Towns Co.
    Minerals of Georgia: Their properties and occurrences. Robert Cook GGWRD Bull 92
    • Maine
      • Franklin Co.
        • Farmington
    King & Foord, 1994. Mineralogy of Maine, V.1, p.272.
      • Knox Co.
        • Warren
    No reference listed
    • Michigan
    www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-glm-rcim-geology-Minerals_Found_In_Michigan.Pdf.
        • Menominee iron range
    Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
        • Norway Lake
    Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton Co.
    Meyers & Stewart, 1956. Geology of NH: Part III, Minerals & Mines
    • New Mexico
      • Cibola Co.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Sandoval Co.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Sierra Co.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Taos Co.
    Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    A Listing of North Carolina Minerals- Leonard S. Wiener and Sigrid Ballew-1995
      • Macon Co.
        • Cowee Valley
          • Ellijay District
            • Franklin
    Absher and McSween H.Y Jr, 1986, Winding Stair Gap granulite
    • Oregon
      • Klamath Co.
    Donald G. Howard (2008) International Micromounters Journal, 15, #3&4, 3-6.
    • Pennsylvania
      • York Co.
        • Warrington Township
          • Rossville
    Mineral Collecting in Pennsylvania; pg 226-228; Geyer, Smith, Barnes, (1976)
    • South Dakota
      • Pennington Co.
    SDSMT Bull 18 Roberts and Rapp "Mineralogy of the Black Hills"
    • Virginia
      • Augusta Co.
    Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
      • Pittsylvania Co.
    Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    • Washington
      • Snohomish Co.
        • Baring
          • Sunset Falls
    Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington, p.63
    • Wisconsin
      • Lincoln Co.
    R&M 73:11-12 pp 378-399 Wisconsin Mineral Locality Index
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 8th Oct 2009 19:56:26