Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
cryolite

Chemical Group:    halide

Chemical Formula:    Na₃AlF₆

Color:  colorless to snow-white, reddish, brownish, brick-red, black              

Hardness:   2.5           Specific Gravity:   2.95 to 3.0           

Fracture:  uneven          Tenacity:  brittle 
 

Luster:  vitreous to greasy       Transparency: 

Cleavage:   parting present

Crystal Forms:  Monoclinic system
        Crystals almost appear to be cubic.
        Often massive, granular

Mineral Associations:  

Identifying Characteristics:

Uses:  flux for aluminum ore 

Occurrences:  West Greenland

Toxicity:      when-swallowed-          when inhaled-

Additional Information: