General Information:
Chemical Formula:
NaCa2Mg2(VO4)3
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 496.57 gm)
Sodium 4.63 % Na
Calcium 16.14 % Ca
Magnesium 9.79 % Mg
Vanadium 30.78 % V
Oxygen 38.66 % O
Empirical Formula:
NaCa2Mg2(VO4)3
Environment:
Found in a silicate-rich xenolith in leucite tephrite lava. The magnesium dominant analogue of palenzonaite. A member of the Garnet group.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1998 (Dana # Added)
Locality:
Bellberg volcano, near Mayen, Laacher See district, Eifel, Germany.
Name Origin:
Named after Helmut Schfer (b. 1931), amateur mineralogist from Mayen-Krrenberg, specialist in the minerals of the Eifel volcanic area, who discovered the mineral.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
None
Color:
red or orange red.
Diaphaniety:
Transparent
Habits:
Octahedral Crystals - Occurs as octahedral shaped crystals., ,
Hardness:
5 - Apatite
Luminescence:
Non-fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
yellow
More details...