RAITE

    Class : Silicates
    Subclass : Phyllosilicates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : Na3Mn3Ti0.25Si8O20(OH)2 10H2O
    Rarity : Very rare

Raite is a very rare silicate of nepheline syenites and their pegmatites. This mineral was named to honor the international team of scientists (led by Thor Heyerdahl) who armed the papyrus sailing ship Ra and made a trip aboard it in 1970. Raite forms small acicular crystals of 2 mm, frequently united in radiate aggregates, light brown in color, sometimes pink to pinkish-brown or yellow to golden brown.

Main photo : Raite from Yubileinaya pegmatite, Karnasurt Mountain, Russia © OT. Ljøstad

Raite in the World

Raite is a very rare mineral known in the pegmatites of the alkaline syenites of Lovozero and Khibiny (Kola, Russia), associated with natrolite and aegyrine. It is found associated with serandite, rhodochrosite and natrolite in the same context at Mont St-Hilaire (Quebec, Canada). In this second deposit, it is also reported in sodalite, villiaumite, serandite and eudialyte xenoliths.

Right photo : Raite from Poudrette quarry, Mont St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada © Stephan Wolfsried


Raite in France

Raite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3
Density : 2.32 to 2.39
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Yellow

TP : Transparent
RI : 1.540 to 1.550
Birefringence : 0.010
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None