Sabinaite , Analcime , Siderite Locality: Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry), Mont Saint-Hilaire , Rouville RCM, Montérégie , Québec , Canada ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: 2.9 x 2.7 x 2.7 cm. Sabinaite is rare sodium, zirconium, titanium carbonate found in only two localities worldwide, both in Canada. Tan sabinaite crystals are nicely scattered as clusters and isolated crystals on the combination matrix of siderite and porcelaneous analcime crystals. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sabinaite
A rare colorless sodium-zirconium-titanium carbonate forming monoclinic prisms and powdery coatings in cavities.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Sabinaite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula Na₄TiZr₂O₄(CO₃)₄.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/c).
Key properties: specific gravity 3.36; Vitreous, silky in aggregates luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Sba, IMA status: approved, named in 1978.
A rare mineral found in vugs in a silicocarbonatite sill (Francon quarry, Canada); in cavities in sodalite syenite in association with an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada).
It is found associated with Calcite, dawsonite, weloganite, cryolite, pyrite, galena, barite, ilmenorutile, ankerite, siderite, quartz (Francon quarry, Canada); albite, microcline.
The mineral was named to honor Ann Phyllis Sabina Stenson (1930–), mineralogist, Geological Survey of Canada, who collected sufficient of the mineral to allow its characterization.