Oct 11 2013
Calcioaravaipaite is a triclinic-pinacoidal mineral containing oxygen, lead, hydrogen, fluorine, calcium and aluminum.
The mineral was first discovered in 1996 at the Grand Reef mine in Laurel Canyon, about 6 km northeast of Klondyke, Aravaipa mining district, Graham County, Arizona, USA. The mineral was named due to the presence of calcium in its composition and its relation to aravaipaite.
Properties of Calcioaravaipaite
The following are the key properties of Calcioaravaipaite:
- Cell Data
- Space Group: A2, Am, or A2/m
- a = 23.906(5)
- b = 7.516(2)
- c = 7.699(2)
- β = 92.25°
- Z = 8
- Crystal Data
- Monoclinic
- Point Group: 2, m, or 2/m
- Crystals flattened on {100}, elongated || [011], showing {100} and {011}, to 0.7 mm; massive. Twinning: On {100}, universal
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 11.9 (100), 3.51 (85), 3.71 (70), 2.981 (60), 2.943 (60), 2.028 (60), 1.971 (60)
- Chemical Composition
| Elements |
Content |
| PbO |
46.4 |
| F |
30.9 |
| CaO |
23.5 |
| -O = F2 |
13 |
| Al2O3 |
10.8 |
| H2O |
1.4 |
| Total |
100 |
- Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Biaxial (–)
- Orientation: Y = b; Z ^ c = 73°
- Dispersion: r > v, strong.
- α = 1.510(1)
- β = 1.528(1)
- γ = 1.531(1)
- 2V(meas.) = 36(2)°
- 2V(calc.) = 44°
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density)=4.13 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Calcioaravaipaite =4.62 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PECalcioaravaipaite = 738.89 barns/electron
U= PECalcioaravaipaite x ρ Electron density= 3051.13 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.09
Boson index = 0.91 |
| Radioactivity |
Calcioaravaipaite is not radioactive |
How to Identify Calcioaravaipaite
Calcioaravaipaite is a colorless or milky white mineral with a vitreous luster, white streak, good cleavage and transparent appearance. It exhibits brittle fractures producing small, conchoidal fragments. It can be formed as massive well-formed fine sized crystals. The density of calcioaravaipaite is 4.85 g/cm3, and its hardness is 2.5.
Global Distribution
Calcioaravaipaite is widely distributed in the Grand Reef mine, near Klondyke, Aravaipa district, Graham Co.,Arizona, USA.
Occurrence of Calcioaravaipaite and Useful Mineral Association
Calcioaravaipaite occurs in the oxidized zone of an epithermal Cu–Pb–Ag deposit. It is closely associated with muscovite, linarite, galena, fluorite, anglesite, quartz and artroeite.
References