Fluor-uvite

Fluor-uvite[2] is a tourmaline mineral with the chemical formula CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F. It is a rare mineral that is found in calcium rich contact metamorphic rocks with increased amounts of boron.[3] Uvite is trigonal hexagonal, which means that it has three equal length axes at 120 degrees, all perpendicular to its fourth axis which has a different length. Uvite is part of the space group 3m.[4] Uvite's hardness has been measured to be 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. The color of uvite widely varies, depending on the sample, but is mostly deep green or brown. In regard to uvite's optical properties, it is uniaxial (-) and anisotropic, meaning that the velocity of light in the mineral depends on the path that it takes. In plane polarized light, uvite is colorless to pale yellow and shows weak pleochroism.[1]

Fluor-uvite
Uvite on quartz
General
CategoryCyclosilicate
tourmaline group
Formula
(repeating unit)		CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F
Strunz classification9.CK.05
Crystal systemTrigonal
Crystal classDitrigonal pyramidal (3m)
H-M symbol: (3m)
Space groupR3m
Identification
ColorBlack, greenish-black, brownish-black, brown, green, colorless
CleavageNone Observed
FractureIrregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness7.5
LusterVitreous, Resinous
StreakLight-brown, light-green, or white
DiaphaneityTransparent, Translucent
Density2.97 - 3.14 g/cm3
Optical propertiesUniaxial (-)
Birefringenceδ = 0.018 - 0.029
PleochroismWeak
References[1]

Uvite was first found in 1929 in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, hence the name.[1]

Uvite has no use, but is commonly found in mineral specimen collections.[3] The mineral is sought after by collectors because of its pronounced colors, crystal structure, and often large crystal size.

References
  1. "Uvite: Uvite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  2. Darrell J. Henry; Milan Novák; Frank C. Hawthorne; Andreas Ertl; Barbara L. Dutrow; Pavel Uher; Federico Pezzotta (2011). "Nomenclature of the tourmaline-supergroup minerals" (PDF). American Mineralogist. 96: 895–913. doi:10.2138/am.2011.3636.
  3. "UVITE (Calcium Iron Magnesium Aluminum Boro-silicate Hydroxide)". Galleries.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  4. "Uvite Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
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