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nepheline
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Nepheline from Litchfield, Maine alkalic syenite
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Basalt sample returned by Apollo 15, from near a long sinous lunar valley called Hadley Rille. Measured at 3.3 years old.
(Bed) Rocks and (Flint) Stones
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Also called:
nephelite, or eleolite
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Nepheline from Litchfield, Maine
Nepheline from Litchfield, Maine

nepheline

mineral
Also known as: eleolite, nephelite
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

nepheline, the most common feldspathoid mineral, an aluminosilicate of sodium and potassium [(Na,K)AlSiO4]. It is sometimes used as a substitute for feldspars in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. Nepheline is the characteristic mineral of alkaline plutonic rocks, particularly nepheline syenites and nepheline gneisses. It occurs in beautiful crystal form with mica, garnet, and sanidine feldspar on Monte Somma, Vesuvius, Italy. For detailed physical properties, see feldspathoid (table).

Carnegieite is synthetic, high-temperature nepheline. Kaliophilite is the high-temperature form of kalsilite, the potassium-rich variety of nepheline. Kaliophilite is unstable at normal temperatures and rarely occurs in nature.

This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.