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Formula: Ca2Al2SiO6(OH)2
Tectosilicate (framework silicate), paramorph of
kamaishilite
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 2.75 measured, 2.813 calculated
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless to white, grey
Luminescence: Fluoresces dark red under all wavelengths of UV
Common impurities: Ti,Fe,Mn,Mg,Na,K,P
Environments
Bicchulite occurs in skarn in
limestone, formed through alteration of
gehlenite subjected to later retrograde hydration reactions. Associated
minerals include vesuvianite,
hydrogrossular, gehlenite,
melilite and calcite.
(HOM).
Localities
At the type locality, the Fuka mine, Fuka, Bitchū, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, bicchulite occurs
in skarn, associated with
vesuvianite with or without
hydrogrossular, gehlenite
and calcite
(AM 59.1330).
At Güneyce-Ikizdere, Rize Province, Turkey, bicchulite is a product of the alteration of
gehlenite; it also associated with
spurrite, in interstices among crystals, with other alteration-induced
minerals such as defernite
(CM 51.6.902).
At Carneal, Glenoe, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK, bicchulite occurs in
skarn, associated with
hydrogrossular and melilite
in a buff-coloured coating on wollastonite rock
(AM 59.1330).
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