Zektzerite
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

  
Zektzerite is named after Jack Zektzer (1936- ), mineral collector of Seattle, Washington, USA, who presented the material for study in 1976. Initial discovery was by Bart Cannon in 1968.

Discovered in 1968 (1976);   IMA status: Valid (IMA approved 1977)

Chemistry

Chemical Formula:

NaLiZrSi₆O₁₅

Sodium Lithium Zirconium Silicate

Molecular Weight:

529.66 gm

Composition:

Sodium

4.34 %

Na

5.85 %

Na₂O

Lithium

1.31 %

Li

2.82 %

Li₂O

Zirconium

17.22 %

Zr

23.26 %

ZrO₂

Silicon

31.82 %

Si

68.06 %

SiO₂

Oxygen

45.31 %

O

100.00 %

100.00 %

= TOTAL OXIDE

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Silicates (Germanates)

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

8/F.30-10

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

9.DN.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
N : Inosilicates with 6-periodic double chains

Related to:

Tuhualite Group.

Members of Group:

Tuhualite Group: Emeleusite, Tuhualite, Zektzerite

Varieties:

None

Synonyms:

IMA1976-034

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal

Crystal Habit:

As stout pseudohexagonal prisms, showing {100}, {010}, and {011}, to 3.7 cm; flattened on {100} and lightly striated on {011}.

Twinning:

None

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

Perfect on {100} and {010}

Fracture:

n/a

Tenacity:

Brittle

Moh's Hardness:

6.0

Density:

2.79 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

Fluorescent; light yellow under SW UV

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Optical Properties

Color:

Colorless to Pink, Cream or White (commonly zoned)

Transparency:

Translucent

Luster:

Vitreous, Pearly on {100}

Refractive Index:

1.582 - 1.584  Biaxial ( - )

Birefringence:

0.0020 (virtually isotropic)

Dispersion:

Very weak; r > v

Pleochroism:

None

Occurances

Geological Setting:

Rarely in miarolitic cavities in a riebeckite granite (Washington Pass, Washington, USA).

Common Associations:

Quartz, Microcline, Aegirine, Riebeckite, Astrophyllite, Zircon, Elpidite

Common Impurities:

Ti, Hf

Type Locality:

Washington Pass, Golden Horn Batholith, Okanogan Co., Washington, USA

Year Discovered:

1968 (1976) (IMA approved 1977)

View mineral photos:

Zektzerite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Zektzerite was discovered in 1968 on Kangaroo Ridge near Washington Pass in Okanogan County, Washington, USA. This is the only known locality in the world for gem quality material. It is an exceedingly rare mineral and gem. Faceted gems are usually very small (less than 1/4 carat) and are colorless to pale pink. Zekzerite is possibly the rarest US gem.

Most mineral information sources list the discovery of Zektzerite as 1976. Actually, the initial discovery was made in 1968 on Kangaroo Ridge by Bart Cannon of Mercer Island, Washington. It wasn't until 1976 that a sample of the mineral was sent to the Smithsonian Institution by Jack Zektzer of Seattle, Washington for analysis. A detailed investigation confirmed it as a new mineral species in 1976 and it was approved by the IMA in 1977. It was named after Jack Zekter in recognition of his efforts.
 

  
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