Chemistry:Segelerite

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Segelerite
Segelerite-710278.png
Pale yellow needle-like crystals of segelerite
General
CategoryPhosphate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ca2 Mg2 Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Identification
ColorGreen, chartreuse, colorless, pale yellow
CleavagePerfect
|re|er}}Vitreous
StreakWhite
Specific gravity2.67

Segelerite is a complex phosphate mineral with formula CaMgFe3+OH(PO4)2·H2O. It occurs in pegmatites and forms striking green or chartreuse crystals. It was discovered in 1974 in the Black Hills of South Dakota by an amateur mineralogist from New York, Curt G. Segeler (1901–1989), after whom it is named.

It is closely related to overite which is virtually the same mineral except that the iron is replaced by aluminium. Another mineral in the same series is juonniite wherein the iron is also replaced, this time by scandium.

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine 85 (3): 291–320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. Bibcode2021MinM...85..291W.