Category Carbonate minerals Strunz classification 5.BB.10 Crystal system Orthorhombic | Formula
(repeating unit) NaAlCO3(OH)2 Dana classification 16a.03.08.01 | |
 | ||
Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) | ||
Dawsonite is a mineral composed of sodium aluminium carbonate hydroxide, chemical formula NaAlCO3(OH)2. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system. It is not mined for ore. It was discovered in 1874 during the construction of the Redpath Museum in a feldspathic dike on the campus of McGill University on the Island of Montreal, Canada. It is named after geologist Sir John William Dawson (1820–1899).
The type material is preserved in the collection of the Redpath Museum.
References
Dawsonite Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA