Oxycalciomicrolite

oxycalciomicrolite

monazite-(Ce)

xenotime-(Y)

ilmenite

Images

Formula: Ca2Ta2O7
Oxide, microlite group, tantalum-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 6.333 calculated
Hardness: 5 to 5½
Streak: White
Colour: Brownish yellow to brownish red
Environments

Pegmatites

Oxycalciomicrolite is a relatively new mineral, approved in 2019.

Localities

At the type locality, the Fumal pegmatite, Nazareno, Minas Gerais, Brazil, oxycalciomicrolite was found in the saprolite of the weathered pegmatite. It occurs as an accessory mineral associated with quartz, albite, microcline, muscovite, columbite, cassiterite, hematite, ilmenite, monazite-(Ce), xenotime-(Y), zircon, beryl, spinel, epidote and garnet. Oxycalciomicrolite is found as octahedral crystals, occasionally modified to rhombododecahedra, ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 mm in size. The crystals are brownish yellow to brownish red and translucent (MM 84.6.854-858).

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