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Serandite was named in
1931 after J. M. Sérand, a mineral collector of West Africa who helped
in the collection of Serandite on the island of Rouma, Los Archipelago,
Guinea. Today, small amounts of Serandite are still found in the area
as well as at the Gem Mine, San Benito County, California. However, specimens
from these localities can never compete with that from the famous Mont
Saint Hilaire in quality and relative abundance.
Serandite is composed of Oxygen, Silicon, Manganese, Sodium, Calcium and
Hydrogen (Na(Mn++,Ca)2Si3O8(OH). It is the manganese ions which cause
the salmon pink color of Serandite. The mineral ranks 4.5 on the Moh’s
Scale of Hardness with a Specific Gravity of approximately 3.2 to 3.4.
Serandite occurs in nice prismatic crystals as well as massive and compact
forms. It is often found associated with other interesting minerals such
as Calcite, Analcime, Argirine, Vesuvianite, and Grossular Garnet as well
as many extremely rare minerals found at Mont Saint Hilaire. One of the
best assortments includes pink, elongated Serandite with attached rounded,
snow white Analcime crystals. Classic specimens of this mineral assemblage
are truly treasured by collectors. Fine quality Serandite crystals with
nice color and luster are sometimes cut into attractive gemstones.
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