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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
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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