K
Be
Si
Na
Y
O
Ball and Stick Stick Spacefill Polyhedral
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Milarite

Milarite has a hexagonal crystal system with a prismatic habit. It is not a common mineral, but it is noteworthy from a structural standpoint because it has a double ring structure composed of two 6-member silicate rings that are joined by their apical oxygens.

Highlighting Features

Potassium (K) atoms
Beryllium (Be) atoms
Silicon (Si) atoms
Sodium (Na) atoms
Yttrium (Y) atoms
Oxygen (O) atoms
A double silicate ring
Single Unit Cell
All atoms

Distribution

Milarite is found in Mexico and Brazil. Gem quality crystals can be found in Namibia.

Hawthorne F C, M. Kimata, P.Cerny, N.Ball, G.R.Rossman, J.D. Grice. 1991. The crystal chemistry of the milarite-group minerals. American Mineralogist 76:1836-1856