Crossite

{{Short description|Rare silicate mineral}}

{{Infobox mineral

| name = Crossite

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| image = Crossite with natrolite Complex Silicate near the Dallas Gem Mine, San Benito County, California 2397.jpg

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| caption = Crossite from California

| category = Amphibole – Inosilicates

| formula = Na₂(Mg,Fe)₃(Al,Fe)₂Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂

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| color = blue, blue-green

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| system = Monoclinic

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| mohs = 6

| luster = Vitreous

| streak = light blue

| diaphaneity = Transparent to translucent

| gravity = 3.16

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| opticalprop = Biaxial (-)

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Crossite is an inosilicate double chain sodic amphibole and is a rare silicate mineral belonging to the riebeckite group. It is considered an intermediate between the amphiboles glaucophane and magnesioriebeckite, which form a series.[http://www.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/riebecki/riebecki.htm RIEBECKITE (Sodium Iron Magnesium Silicate Hydroxide)] IMA status: discredited 1997.

Crossite is named after Charles Whitman Cross, an American USGS petrologist.