Saliotite

Saliotite is a rare colorless to pearl white phyllosilicate mineral in the smectite group with formula (Li,Na)Al₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₅.^[2] It is an ordered 1:1 interstratification of cookeite and paragonite. It has perfect cleavage, a pearly luster and leaves a white streak. Its crystal structure is monoclinic, and it is a soft mineral with a hardness rated 2-3 on the Mohs scale.^[2][3]

Saliotite
General
Category	Silicate mineral
Formula	(Li,Na)Al3(AlSi3O10)(OH)5
IMA symbol	Sal[1]
Strunz classification	9.EC.60
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Crystal class	Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol)
Space group	C2/m
Unit cell	a = 5.15 Å, b = 8.91 Å c = 23.83 Å; β = 94.23°; Z = 4
Identification
Color	Colorless to white
Cleavage	Perfect on {001}
Mohs scale hardness	2 - 3
Luster	Pearly
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Transparent
Specific gravity	2.75
Optical properties	Biaxial (-)
Refractive index	nα = 1.580 - 1.590 nβ = 1.580 - 1.590 nγ = 1.590 - 1.600
Birefringence	δ = 0.010
2V angle	30° to 50°
References	[2][3]

Saliotite was first described in 1994 for an occurrence in an outcrop of high grade schist north of Almeria, Andalusia, Spain. It was named for French geologist Pierre Saliot.^[2]