The spelling of the word "daubreite" may seem confusing at first glance, but it follows a consistent pattern in German. The first part of the word, "dau", is pronounced like the English word "down" but with a longer "ow" sound. The second part, "breite", is pronounced like "bright" with an added "uh" sound before the "t". When put together, the word is pronounced as "dow-bright-uh-tuh" and refers to a mineral species. Its spelling reflects the Germanic roots of the word.
Daubreite is a relatively rare and valuable mineral that belongs to the group of phyllosilicates. It is a mineral consisting of hydrated sodium, calcium, and aluminum silicate, with a chemical formula of NaCaAl(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2. Its structure is composed of layers of tetrahedral and octahedral sheets, which are stacked one upon another to form a three-dimensional crystal lattice.
Daubreite typically occurs as a yellow to brown or greenish crystalline mass with a vitreous to greasy luster. It can be found in hydrothermal veins, primarily associated with granite and pegmatite environments. Due to its scarcity, daubreite is often sought after by mineral collectors and enthusiasts.
In terms of its physical properties, daubreite has a hardness of 4.5-5 on the Mohs scale, which indicates medium hardness. It has a specific gravity ranging from 2.6 to 2.9, meaning it is relatively dense. Daubreite also exhibits a basal cleavage that is perfect, providing smooth and even surfaces when it is cleaved.
Apart from its aesthetic appeal, daubreite does not possess any significant industrial applications due to its rarity. Its historical importance lies in being named after the French mineralogist Auguste Daubrée, who contributed significantly to the study of metamorphism and mineralogy. Today, daubreite continues to be studied by scientists to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in its formation and occurrence.