Locality: Brosso Mine, Cálea, Léssolo, Canavese District, Torino Province, Piedmont, Italy Group of acicular crystals of canavesite, 8 mm field photography and collection Edoardo Mazzola — Photo: Edoardo Mazzola · CC0
Canavesite
A rare carbonate-borate from Italy's abandoned Brosso mine, forming where ludwigite-magnetite skarn weathers.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Canavesite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the borate class, with the chemical formula Mg₂(HBO₃)(CO₃)·5H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system.
Key properties: specific gravity 1.8; Vitreous, silky in aggregates luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Cnv, IMA status: approved, named in 1977.
A rare secondary mineral on tunnel surfaces in an abandoned mine in weathering ludwigite–magnetite skarn.
It is found associated with Ludwigite, magnetite.
The name refers to the Canavese district, in which the mine that produced the first specimens is located.