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Formula: CaFe3+2O(PO4)2
Anhydrous phosphate
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 3.555 calculated
Hardness: 4
Streak: Orange
Colour: Saffron-red to pinkish red
Environments
Crocobelonite is a new mineral, approved in 2020.
Localities
At the Halamish wadi, Hatrurim Basin, Tamar Regional Council, Southern District, Israel, crocobelonite was
discovered in the pyrometamorphic complexes. Crocobelonite-bearing assemblages contain a series of anhydrous
iron-nickel phosphates,
hematite, diopside and
anorthite, and barringerite,
transjordanite,
murashkoite, halamishite
and negevite.
Crocobelonite forms submillimeter-sized aggregates of prismatic to acicular crystals of saffron-red to
pinkish-red colour. It represents a novel type of phosphate mineral formed by oxidation of phosphide minerals at
temperatures higher than 1000°C and near-atmospheric pressure (pyrolytic oxidation)
(MM 108.10.1973-1983).
At the type locality, an Unnamed phosphorite quarry, Daba-Siwaqa complex, Transjordan Plateau, Amman Governorate,
Jordan, crocobelonite occurs as irregular dense segregations up to 0.5 mm in
diopside paralava and
appears as nests and schlieren up to 30 cm in size situated in brown to red-coloured
hornfels. Associated minerals include
transjordanite, negevite,
murashkoite, hematite,
halamishite, diopside,
barringerite and anorthite
(Mindat).
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