Grossite

Grossite is a calcium aluminium oxide mineral with formula CaAl4O7. It is a colorless to white vitreous mineral which crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system.[2][3]

Grossite
General
CategoryOxide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
CaAl4O7
Strunz classification4.CC.15
Dana classification07.03.02.01
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupC2/c
Unit cella = 12.94, b = 8.91
c = 5.44 [Å]; β = 107.01°; Z = 4
Identification
ColorColorless to white
Crystal habitLathlike or subhedral rounded grains in polycrystalline aggregates rimmed by melilite (in meteorites)
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.88
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive indexnα = 1.618 nβ = 1.618 nγ = 1.652
Birefringenceδ = 0.034
2V angleMeasured: 15°
References[1][2][3]

Grossite was first described 1994 for an occurrence in the Hatrurim Formation of Israel. It was named for Shulamit Gross (1923–2012) of the Geological Survey of Israel.[1][3]

It occurs within high temperature metamorphosed impure limestone of the Hatrurim Formation and also within calcium-aluminium rich inclusions in chondritic meteorites. Associated minerals in the Hatrurium include brownmillerite, mayenite and larnite. In meteorites it occurs with perovskite, melilite, hibonite, spinel and calcium rich pyroxene.[1]

See also

References

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