Catapleiite (Na2ZrSi3O9·2H2O) is a dimorph of gaidonnayite rarely found by itself. Its name derives from the Greek words "κατα" (kata) and "πλειον" (pleion) meaning "with more" as it is mostly accompanied by a number of rare minerals. When pure it is colorless, but it is most often seen as a tan, brownish-red, light yellow, dark brown, flesh red or orangish in color. It is mostly found on Låven Island, Norway. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is around 5.5–6. It has a monoclinic crystal system.[1][2]

Catapleiite
Catapleiite.Locality: Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire), Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Na2ZrSi3O9·2H2O
IMA symbolCtp
Identification
ColorColorless, tan, brownish-red, light yellow, dark brown, flesh red, orangish
Mohs scale hardness5.5–6
LusterVitreous, dull
Specific gravity2.65–2.9

References

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  1. ^ "Catapleiite: Mineral information, data and localities". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  2. ^ Minerals, Dakota Matrix. "Catapleiite mineral information and data". www.dakotamatrix.com. Retrieved 2019-04-03.