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Cheralite Grayite & Brockite

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RSL755417

Cheralite Grayite & Brockite

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Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Brabant Farm 168, Karibib, Erongo Region, Namibia
Class: 
Massive/Crystalline
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
5.3 × 3.7 × 3 cm
Largest Crystal: 
0.30cm
Description

These specimens show yellowish nodules included in a feldspar matrix. First SEM-EDS analysis have yielded a phosphate of Th and Ca, with minor Pb. XRD has shown patterns of "bravantite", the old name for cheralite and brockite. The chemical base formula for these species are: grayite (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4)·H2O; cheralite CaTh(PO4)2; brockite (Ca,Th,Ce)(PO4)·H2O. REE has not been determined in EDS.
We could say that this yellow nodules belongs from altered monazite, formed by mixed species cheralite-grayite, with minor brockite. Accompanied in matrix by meta-autunite. We will send the full report. 
 

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Cheralite

Formula: 
(Ca,Ce)(Th,Ce)(PO4)2
Strunz: 
8.AD.50
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
5.0
Type Locality: 
Kuttakuzhi (Kuttankuli), Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala (Travancore), India

Grayite

Formula: 
(Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4)·H2O
Strunz: 
8.CJ.45
Hardness: 
0.0
Type Locality: 
Gooddays Mine (Good Days Mine), Mutoko parish (Mtoko), Mutoko District (Mtoko District), Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe

Brockite

Formula: 
(Ca,Th,Ce)PO4·H2O
Strunz: 
8.CJ.45
Hardness: 
3.0 - 4.0
Type Locality: 
Unnamed prospect, Bassick Mine area, Querida, Wet Mountains Area, Custer Co., Colorado, USA