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Hectorite
A soft, greasy white lithium-bearing clay of the smectite group, named for Hector, California.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Hectorite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Na₀.₃(Mg,Li)₃Si₄O₁₀(F,OH)₂·nH₂O.
It is a member of the Clay structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 1–2; specific gravity 2.3; typically white or colorless; white streak; Earthy to waxy, dull luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Htr, IMA status: questionable, named in 1941.
Found in a bentonite deposit, altered from clinoptilolite derived from volcanic tuff and ash with a high glass content, related to hot spring activity (Hector, California, USA).
It is found associated with Calcite, clinoptilolite (Hector, California, USA).
The name is derived from the locality at Hector, California, USA.
Collections: Everyday Minerals.