Aravaite
Aravaite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Ba₂Ca₁₈(SiO₄)₆(PO₄)₃(CO₃)F₃O.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group R-3m).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 3.327; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Arv, IMA status: approved, named in 2018.
Found in pyrometamorphic spurrite rocks of the Hatrurim Complex, Israel.
It is found associated with Spurrite, calcite, brownmillerite, shulamitite, CO3-bearing fluorapatite, brucite, fluormayenite-fluorkyuygenite, periclase, barytocalcite, baryte.
The name refers to the Arava (Hebrew for “desolate and dry area”) Valley, Negev desert, Israel.
Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet.
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