Okenite and Nekoite (A New Mineral)

J. A. Gard and H. F. W. Taylor
Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen

Summary: The unit cell of okenite (CaO.2SiO2.2H2O) has been determined for a specimen from Bombay, India, using a combination of X-ray, electron-microscope, and electron-diffraction methods. It is anorthic with1 a 9·84, b 7·20, c 21·33Å., α 90·0°, β 103·9°, γ, 111·5°, elongation b, Z 9. These data are compatible with the goniometric results of Boggild (1922) and allow the latter to be interpreted.

A specimen from Crestmore, California, which Eakle (1917) had described as okenite, was also examined. It was found to be a new species, having the same composition as okenite but distinguishable from it by its optical properties, X-ray powder data, and unit cell. The latter is anorthic with1 a 7·60, b 7·32, c 9·86 Å, α 111° 48′, β 86° 12′, γ 103° 54′, elongation b, Z = 3. Because of the relation to okenite, the name nekoite is suggested.

Mineralogical Magazine; March 1956 v. 31; no. 232; p. 5-20; DOI: 10.1180/minmag.1956.031.232.02
© 1956, The Mineralogical Society
Mineralogical Society (www.minersoc.org)