Delindeite Locality: Yukspor Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia Original description: About 1.5 mm long prismatic delindeite crystal in a vug in a border zone of nepheline sienitic pegmatite. Collected by A.P. Khomyakov before 1998. Pavel M. Kartashov collection and photo. — Photo: Pavel M. Kartashov · CC BY-SA 4.0
Delindeite
A very rare titanium sorosilicate of the lamprophyllite group, named for Diamond Jo quarry owner Henry de Linde.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Delindeite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Ba₂Ti₂(Na₂ )Ti(Si₂O₇)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂O₂.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group A2/m). It is a member of the Seidozerite-Lamprophyllite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 3.3; Resinous, pearly luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Dde, IMA status: approved, named in 1987.
Found in vugs and miarolitic cavities, as a weathering product of titaniferous nepheline syenite.
It is found associated with Pectolite, barite, labuntsovite, lourenswalsite, pyroxene, titanite, sphalerite, potassic feldspar.
In honor of amateur mineralogist Henry deLinde of Mabelvale, Arkansas, USA, owner of the Diamond Jo quarry.