Fluorcaphite Locality: Koashva Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia Greenish transparent crystals of Fluorcaphite. Field of view 5 mm. Specimen and photo Leon Hupperichs. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Fluorcaphite
A rare strontium-rare-earth-bearing fluorapatite-group mineral from Russia's Kola Peninsula.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Fluorcaphite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula SrCaCa₃(PO₄)₃F.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6_3). It is a member of the Apatite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 3.6; Vitreous luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Fcp, IMA status: approved, named in 1996.
Found in miarolitic cavities in a hyperagpaitic pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif.
It is found associated with Deloneite-(Ce), belovite-(Ce), alkalic amphibole, lamprophyllite, labuntsovite, wadeite, sazykinaite-(Y), remondite-(La), sphalerite, galena, fluorite, graphite.
The name refers to FLUORine, CAlcium, and PHosphorus in the composition.