How do I identify Cahnite?

Cahnite can be identified by its hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, Colorless to white color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Cahnite?

Cahnite typically appears in Colorless to white, also golden brown; colourless in transmitted light.. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

Cahnite has a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.

How to Identify Cahnite | Properties, Meaning & Uses

What is Cahnite?

Cahnite (Cahnit in German, Cahnita in Spanish, Канит in Russian) is a brittle white or colorless mineral that has perfect cleavage and is usually transparent. It usually forms tetragonal-shaped crystals and it has a hardness of 3 mohs. Cahnite was discovered in the year 1921. It was named Cahnite to honor Lazard Cahn (1865–1940), who was a mineral collector and dealer. It is usually found in the Franklin Mine, in Franklin, New Jersey. Until the year 2002, when a sample of cahnite was found in Japan, that was the only known place that cahnite was located. The geological environment that it occurs in is in pegmatites cutting a changed zinc orebody. The chemical formula for cahnite is Ca2BAsO44. It is made up of 26.91% calcium, 3.63% boron, 25.15% arsenic, 1.35% hydrogen, and 42.96% oxygen. It has a molecular weight of 297.91 grams. Cahnite is not radioactive. Cahnite is associated with these other minerals: willemite, rhodonite, pyrochroite, hedyphane, datolite, and baryte.

Cahnite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Cahnite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Cahnite Localities Map

See where Cahnite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.