Buchwaldite

buchwaldite

troilite

chromite

Cape York meteorite

Images

Formula: NaCa(PO₄)
Anhydrous phosphate of sodium and calcium
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 3.21 calculated
Hardness: 3
Streak: White
Colour: White
Environments

Meteorites

Localities

At the type locality, the Cape York meteorite, Cap York, Avannaata, Greenland, buchwaldite occurs as minute inclusions within troilite nodules in the iron meteorite. The inclusions are fairly sparse and small. The sample most studied was 40 microns across. The inclusion was polycrystalline, made up mostly of compact, interlocking masses of fine needles.
Numerous single crystals of virtually pure chromite, often euhedral with rounded faces, are present in the troilite nodules. Buchwaldite occurs embedded in troilite and in contact with chromite (AM 62.362-364).

Back to Minerals