Saponite (English spelling)

Japanese: サポナイト（英語表記）saponite

A magnesium-rich species of the montmorillonite group, a type of clay mineral. Its composition is (Ca/2,Na) _0.33 (Mg,Fe ²⁺ ) ₃ (Si,Al) ₄ O ₁₀ (OH) ₂ ･4H ₂ O, but a species in which some of the magnesium has been replaced with aluminum is called aluminian saponite. It belongs to the monoclinic crystal system and has a clay-like appearance, but under an electron microscope it appears as an amorphous thin film. It comes in a variety of colors, including pale yellow, green, and pale brownish green. It has also been called soap stone because of its shape and color when wet, and because it is used as an auxiliary agent in detergents due to its ability to absorb oils.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

粘土鉱物の一種モンモリロナイト族の中でMgに富む種。(Ca/2,Na)_0.33(Mg,Fe²⁺)₃(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₂･4H₂Oの組成であるが，Mgの一部をAlで置換した種をアルミニアンサポナイトと呼ぶ。単斜晶系に属し，粘土状を呈するが，電子顕微鏡下では不定形薄膜状の形態を示す。色は淡黄，緑，淡褐緑色などいろいろの色彩をもつ。また湿った場合のその形状や色，油類の吸着性のため洗剤の補助剤として用いられることなどにより，〈セッケン石〉の名で呼ばれたこともある。

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