Bertossaite

bertossaite

scorzalite

brazilianite

crandallite

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Formula: Li2CaAl4(PO4)4(OH)4
Anhydrous phosphate containing hydroxyl, palermoite group and forms a series with it, lithium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 3.10 measured, 3.183 calculated
Hardness: 6
Streak: White
Colour: Pale pink
Solubility: Dissolves slowly in nitric acid
Common impurities: Fe,Mn
Environments

Pegmatites

Bertossaite occurs in granitic pegmatites.

Localities

At the type locality, the Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda, bertossaite occurs in the lithium pegmatite as a faintly pink massive mineral that is the calcium analogue of the strontium-bearing mineral palermoite. Associated minerals include amblygonite, lazulite-scorzalite, augelite, brazilianite, apatite, crandallite, trolleite, samuelsonite and quartz. It is suggested that bertossaite formed during a late calcium-phase mineralisation of the pegmatite (CM 8.668, HOM).

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