Brockite

Brockite is a rare earth phosphate mineral with formula: (Ca,Th,Ce)PO4·H2O. It crystallizes in the hexagonal system in the chiral space group 180 or its enantiomorph 181. It is typically granular to massive with only rare occurrence of stubby crystals. It is radioactive due to the thorium content.

Brockite
Microphoto of brockite on thorite (black).
Field view: 2 x 2 mm.
General
CategoryPhosphate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Ca,Th,Ce)PO4·H2O
IMA symbolBck[1]
Strunz classification8.CJ.45
Crystal systemHexagonal
Crystal classTrapezohedral (622)
H-M symbol: (622)
Space groupP6222 or P6422
Unit cella = 6.98 Å, c = 6.40 Å; Z = 3
Identification
ColorReddish brown, yellow (red brown due to inclusions of hematite)
Crystal habitRarely as Stubby hexagonal prisms rare; common as granular massive aggregates, cryptocrystalline
CleavageNone observed
FractureConchoidal
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness3 - 4
LusterGreasy to vitreous
DiaphaneityTranslucent to opaque
Specific gravity3.9 (measured)
Optical propertiesUniaxial (+)
Refractive indexnω = 1.680 nε = 1.695
Birefringenceδ = 0.015
Other characteristicsRadioactive
References[2][3][4]

Discovery and occurrence

Brockite was first described in 1962 for an occurrence in the Bassick Mine area, Querida, Wet Mountains, Custer County, Colorado, US. It was named for Maurice R. Brock, of the U.S. Geological Survey.[3]

Brockite occurs in granite and granite pegmatite as an accessory mineral. Associated minerals include monazite, bastnasite, xenotime, thorite, zircon, apatite, rutile and hematite.[2]

References


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