Minerals
Sarcolite
sarcolite
Na4Ca12Al8Si12O46(SiO4,PO4)(OH,H2O)4(CO3,Cl)
Sarcolite: Mineral information, data and localities. — via www.mindat.org · Source
Overview
Sarcolite is a mineral named due to its color. Its name originates from the Greek word sárx (σάρξ), meaning flesh and from the Greek word for stone, líthos (λίθος), for being a mineral. It was first described in 1959, but had been a valid species since 1807. It is grandfathered, meaning the name sarcolite still refers to a valid species till this day. Researchers were able to create lab-grown sarcolites with the same crystal structure and formula, although the lab grown ones show different, uniaxial (-) optical properties.