Rossite

rossite

carnotite

thenardite

epsomite

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Formula: Ca(VO3)2.4H2O
Vanadate, rossite group, paramorph of calciodelrioite
Crystal System: Triclinic
Specific gravity: 2.45 measured, 2.42 calculated
Hardness: 2 to 3
Colour: Pale yellow, yellow in transmitted light
Solubility: Slowly soluble in water
Environments

Sedimentary environments

Rossite is a rare vanadium-bearing mineral that occurs in veinlets in carnotite-bearing sandstone (Webmin). It dehydrates reversibly to metarossite within a matter of weeks. Associated minerals include epsomite, gypsum, huemulite, hummerite and thénardite (Mindat).

Localities

At the Huemul Mine, Pampa Amarilla mining district, Malargüe Department, Mendoza Province, Argentina, rossite is associated with huemulite, hummerite, thénardite, gypsum and epsomite (HOM).

At the type locality, the Arrowhead tunnel, Bull Pen Canyon, San Miguel county, Colorado, USA, rossite occurs as small glassy kernels embedded in flaky metarossite in carnotite-bearing sandstone, associated with metarossite, carnotite and gypsum (HOM, Mindat, AM 13.160).

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