saussurite

[ saw-suh-rahyt ]

noun

1. a mineral aggregate of albite, zoisite, and other calcium aluminum silicates, formed by alteration of plagioclase feldspars in igneous rocks.

Other Words From

• saus·su·rit·ic [saw-s, uh, -, rit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of saussurite¹

1805–15; named after H. B. de Saussure (1740–99), Swiss geologist and physicist; -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Saussurite, saw-sū′rīt, n. a fine-grained compact mineral, of grayish colour.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

Equally characteristic of the gabbros is the alteration of the felspars to cloudy, semi-opaque masses of saussurite.

From Project Gutenberg

Some authors believe that the development of saussurite from felspar is also dependent on pressure rather than on weathering, and an analogous change may affect the olivine, replacing it by talc, chlorite, actinolite and garnet.

From Project Gutenberg

Secondary mica is also a common result of alteration, and among other products are pinite, epidote, saussurite, chlorite, wollastonite and various zeolites.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be mentioned that there is a mineral closely allied to jade called "Saussurite," discovered by the great geologist whose name it bears near Monte Rosa, and since found on the borders of the Lake of Geneva, near Genoa, and in Corsica.

From Project Gutenberg