Fact sheet
Cancrinite pegmatite is an unusual rock type from the Lovozero alkaline complex.
Rotation 1 - aegirine NaFe3+Si2O6
Rotation 2 - cancrinite (Na,Ca)8(Al6Si6)O24(CO3,SO4)2•2H2O
Many thanks to Alessandro Da Mommio for providing us with this sample. Alex describes the sample here.
The Ilimaussaq alkaline complex is the type locality for agpaitic nepheline syenites and represents an enormous concentration of rare elements, notably Li, Be, Nb, Zr, REE, Y, Th and U. Around 220 mineral species have been identified. We can't identify all the minerals present in these samples. Email us at virtual-microscope@open.ac.uk if you can help.
Note we have recently expanded the collection to include other syenite complexes worldwide.
See also Alex Strekeisen's great website for more information on syenite complexes.