Arctite

arctite

Arctite is named for the Arctic region, where it was found.

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Formula: Ba(Ca₇Na₅)(PO₄)₄(PO₄)₂F₃
Anhydrous phosphate containing halogen, arctite group of the arctite supergroup
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 3.13 measured, 3.19 calculated
Hardness: About 5
Streak: Colourless
Colour: Colourless
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in 1:20 hydrochloric acid
Environments

Pegmatites

Localities

At the type locality, the Vuonnemiok River Valley, Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia, arctite was found as colourless to white masses in pegmatite veinlets associated with rasvumite, villiaumite, aegirine and thenardite (AM 67.621).
Mindat also lists as associates zirsinalite, wadeite, vuonnemite, umbite, paraumbite, natrosilite, natisite and kostylevite (Mindat).

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