Microphotograph of aluminosugilite. The image is published in an article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License: Nagashima, M., Fukuda, C., Matsumoto, T., Imaoka, T., Odicino, G., and Armellino, G.: Aluminosugilite, KNa2Al2Li3Si12O30, an Al analogue of sugilite, from the Cerchiara mine, Liguria, Italy, Eur. J. Mineral., 32, 57–66, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-32-57-2020 , 2020. — Photo: Nagashima, M., Fukuda, C., Matsumoto, T., Imaoka, T., Odicino, G., and Armellino, G. · CC BY 4.0
Aluminosugilite
Aluminosugilite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula KNa₂Al₂Li₃Si₁₂O₃₀.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6/mcc). It is a member of the Milarite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 6–6.5; specific gravity 2.71–2.72; Pale purple to white streak; Vitreous luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Asug, IMA status: approved, named in 2019.
Found in interstices in manganiferous ophiolitic metacherts.
It is found associated with Quartz, K-feldspar.
The prefix identifies the Al-analogue of sugilite, which honors Ken-ichi Sugi (1901-1948) of the Kyushu Imperial University.