cascadelor

Cascadelor is a hypothetical mineral species introduced in mineralogical discussions to illustrate features of layered silicates with cascade-like habit. It is described as a hydrated aluminosilicate with a stepped, tabular crystal form that forms stacked intergrowths resembling a cascading sequence. The name is derived from the cascade-like crystal habit and the common mineral nomenclature suffix -lor used in some examples.

In educational contexts cascadelor is attributed to a fictional locality in a mountainous cascade region; this construction helps explain how crystal habit, composition, and formation conditions interact. Properties commonly described include a monoclinic crystal system, tabular to prismatic habit, color range from colorless to pale blue or green, vitreous to pearly luster on cleavage surfaces, and a Mohs hardness of approximately 4.5 to 6 depending on degree of hydration. Cleavage is imperfect in one direction; grains may show faint parallel striations. Density is given as about 2.8–3.1 g/cm3; refractive index roughly 1.58–1.62 with weak pleochroism.

Formation and associations: Cascadelor is said to form by hydrothermal alteration of feldspathic rocks at moderate temperatures, often in proximity to quartz, chlorite, and fine-grained mica. It serves as an illustrative example of how hydration and layering influence physical properties such as clarity and pleochroism.

See also: mineral, silicate minerals, hydrothermal mineralogy.