Pronunciation

Bi' ton ite

Etymology

Named for the type locality in Bytown, Canada, but this locality was later discredited. The name, however, was kept.

Noun

1. A plagioclase feldspar, the fifth member of the Albite-Anorthite solid solution series. Bytownite is rare, and normally occurs in small grains in lime-rich igneous rocks . Clear pale yellow crystals have come from Mexico and Oregon.

Chemical composition

• Calcium sodium aluminum silicate, Failed to parse (PNG conversion failed; check for correct installation of latex, dvips, gs, and convert): Ca_xNa_xAlSi_3O_8

Physical properties

• Moh's Hardness: 6.0
• Specific gravity: 2.74
• Color: White, pale yellow, shades of gray
• Luster: glassy
• Fracture: conchoidal
• Cleavage: two good at about 94º to each other
• Habit: Triclinic - pinacoidal. Crystals are rare.

Related words

See Rock, Feldspar, Plagioclase