CANCRINITE
Specimen can-4

Dims: 2.0 x 2.0 x 1.5" (5.1 x 5.1 x 3.9 cm)

Wt: 4.1 oz. (116 g)

Loch Borralan, Scotland

The nearly blue-white matrix of this large hand specimen is made up of Cancrinite, one of the less common feldspathoids. It shows no crystal form and has a white color with a gray-blue tinge and a dull luster. It acts as a matrix to at least three other minerals; biotite is one of these, though it is in the least amount. Another one is either hornblende or nepheline, and the third is a felspar or feldspathoid that I cannot identify.

Dims:1.1x1.1x1.1" (2.8x2.8x2.8 cm)

Wt: 1.3oz. (36g)

French River, Ontario, Canada

This specimen is a polished sphere of cancrinite and other associated minerals. There appear to be three or four species present in this specimen, the cancrinite being a pinkish-orange color. One of the associated minerals is a metallic gray color-magnetite, perhaps? Given the location, I would guess that the associated minerals would conform to those found in a nepheline syenite environment. The cancrinite shows some flashes of color similar to labradorescence.

Dims:1.2x0.6x0.2" (3.0x1.5x0.5 cm)

Wt: 0.1oz. (3g)

French River, Ontario, canada

This specimen is a freeform cabachon cut and polished from a slab of cancrinite. It shows good translucence when held up to a bright light. Near one end of the specimen is a narrow vein of another unidentified mineral. This specimen displays a play of light similar to labradorescence. It is undamaged.

Dims:0.6x0.5x0.2" (1.5x1.3x0.5 cm)

Wt: oz. (0.26g)

French River, Ontario, Canada

This is another freeform cabachon cut and polished from a slab of the mineral cancrinite. It displays good translucence, and a fine butterscotch color. This piece also shows a play of light similar to labradorescence when held under a bright light. There is no damage to this specimen.