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Formula: CaLiAlF6
Fluoride
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 2.94 measured
Hardness: 4
Streak: White
Colour: White
Temperature stability: The structure breaks down between 800 and 900oC Mindat
Environments
Colquiriite is a rare lithium-bearing mineral in hydrothermal tin-bearing veins (Webmin, HOM). Associated minerals include
hydrokenoralstonite, gearksutite,
sphalerite, madocite and
pyrite (HOM).
At the type locality, the Colquiri mine, Inquisivi Province, La Paz, Bolivia, colquiriite has been found in a tin mine associated with
sphalerite, pyrite,
madocite, hydrokenoralstonite and
gearksutite (Mindat, AM 66.879). In a single specimen examined
hydrokenoralstonite appears to replace colquiriite and
gearksutite is present as veinlets, so that colquiriite appears to be the oldest of
the fluorides (AM 66.1099).
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