THE MINERAL CALCIOVOLBORTHITE

Chemistry: CaCuVO4(OH) , Calcium Copper Vanadate Hydroxide.
Class: Phosphates
Group: Adelite
Uses: Only as mineral specimens.
Specimens

Calciovolborthite is a rare vanadate mineral. Calciovolborthite forms a solid solution series with the mineral conichalcite. A solid solution series occurs when two or more structurally identical minerals can interchange elements within their chemistries without dramatically altering the crystal structure. In the case of conichalcite and calciovolborthite the two elements are arsenic and vanadium. Conichalcite is the arsenic rich end member of the series and calciovolborthite is the vanadium rich end member.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is typically various shades of green.
Luster is vitreous, pearly or dull.
Transparency: Specimens are transparent to opaque.
Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m
Crystal Habit is typically in druzy crusts and masses.
Cleavage is none.
Fracture is uneven.
Hardness is 3 to 4.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.8 (heavy for non-metallic minerals)
Streak is pale green to gray.
Other Characteristics: Some specimens may fluoresce under UV light.
Notable Occurrences include Germany
Best Field Indicators are color, locality, fluorescence (if present) and density.

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