CHEMISTRY - Na4(Ca,Ce)2(Fe,Mn)ZrSi8O22(OH,Cl)2 (?)
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY - Hexagonal
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND HABITS - Crystals are typically rhombohedral but can be long prisms. It is most commonly massive or as a vein filling.
COLOR AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES - Color ranges from cherry red to pink, rose rod, yellow or brown. Translucent.
HARDNESS - 5 - 6
SPECIFIC GRAVITY - 2.7 - 3.1
LUSTER - Vitreous to dull
STREAK - Light Pink
BREAKABILITY - Very good to almost indistinct cleavage on {0001}, poor on {1120}; uneven fracture; Brittle
OCCURRENCE - Fond in igneous rocks like nepheline syenites, alkali granites and in associated pegmatites.
ASSOCIATED MINERALS - Microcline, Nepheline, Titanite
MINERAL NAME - From the Greek meaning easily dissolved in reference to its ease of solution in acids.