cristobalite
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bəˌlaɪtBased on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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cristobalite (krɪsˈtəʊbəˌlaɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| a white microcrystalline mineral consisting of silica and occurring in volcanic rocks. Formula: SiO2 | |
| [C19: from German, named after Cerro San Cristóbal, Mexico, where it was discovered] | |
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| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
cristobalite
the stable form of silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2) between its melting point of 1,728 C (3,142 F) and 1,470 C (2,678 F), below which tridymite is the stable form. Cristobalite has two modifications: low-cristobalite, which occurs naturally up to 268 C (514 F) but is not stable; and high-cristobalite, which occurs above 268 C but is only stable above 1,470 C. Natural low-cristobalite usually occurs in sub-microcrystalline masses (see opal) or fibrous to columnar spherulites (see lussatite) in igneous rocks. Cristobalite has the same chemical composition as coesite, stishovite, quartz, and tridymite but has a different crystal structure. For detailed physical properties, see silica mineral (table)
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