Marialite is a mineral and a type of feldspathoid, which is a member of the silicate mineral group. It derives its name from its frequent occurrence in the mining town of Riverside, California, United States, where it was first discovered. The mineral is typically gray, yellowish-gray, or white in color, and it possesses a vitreous luster.
Marialite is composed of calcium, sodium, aluminum, and silicon, with a general formula of (Na,Ca)4(Al4Si8O24)Cl. It belongs to the tectosilicate subclass of minerals, which means that its crystal structure is three-dimensional and organized in a network of interconnected silicon-oxygen tetrahedra.
In terms of physical properties, marialite has a relatively high hardness on the Mohs scale, ranging between 5.5 and 6. It also has a specific gravity that typically falls between 2.6 and 2.7. The mineral is translucent to transparent, and it commonly occurs in a prismatic or tabular crystal habit.
Marialite is often found in alkaline igneous rocks, such as syenites and phonolites, as well as in metamorphic rocks like marbles. Its presence is frequently associated with other minerals such as feldspar, nepheline, and scapolite.
Due to its distinctive characteristics, marialite has gained some popularity as a collector's mineral. However, it is relatively uncommon and less well-known compared to other minerals. Its industrial usage is limited, primarily being used as a source for calcium and sodium in certain chemical processes.
