Eirikite , Leifite (The greatest diameter is about 2.5 cm) Locality: Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire), Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada One of the moons of Jupiter as seen from the magic mountain. According to László Horváth (private communication), a CMN specimen from this find was found to have both eirikite and leifite. (But this particular specimen has not been analyzed.) Regarding the color: This is a rather deeply colored example from this find. The color is fairly accurate. See Lapis July-August 200 p. 11 for an even more deeply colored example. — Photo: Modris Baum · Public domain
Eirikite
Eirikite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula KNa₆Be₂(Si₁₅Al₃)O₃₉F₂.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P-3m1). It is a member of the Leifite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 6; specific gravity 2.59; White streak; Vitreous to silky luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Eir, IMA status: approved, named in 2007.
A late-stage hydrothermal mineral in a dike of nepheline syenite pegmatite.
It is found associated with Microcline, zircon, aegirine, polylithionite, albite, eudialyte, catapleiite, pyrochlore.
The mineral was named to honor the Viking Eirik Raude (Eric the Red, born ~950, died ~1003), Norwegian emigrant, the discoverer of Greenland, and father of Leiv (Leif) Eirikson.