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Phosphate

Gatumbaite

CaAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·H₂O
Hardness5
Crystal systemMonoclinic
ClassPhosphate
Gatumbaite specimen

Blue burangaite crystals associated to white gatumbaite from the type locality for both minerals: Buranga Pegmatite, Gatumba, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda. Associated mineral after the label is brazilianite but this species could not be identified in the specimen. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0

Gatumbaite

Gatumbaite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula CaAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·H₂O.

It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system.

Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 2.92; Pearly luster; optically biaxial.

IMA symbol Gtb, IMA status: approved, named in 1976.

From the phosphate assemblage in a complex granite pegmatite (Buranga pegmatite, Rwanda; Hålsjöberg, Sweden.); in andesites altered hydrothermally through hydrogen metasomatism (Mt. Perry, Australia).

It is found associated with Trolleite, scorzalite, apatite, bjarebyite, burangaite (Buranga pegmatite, Rwanda); trolleite, augelite, andalusite, rutile, topaz, quartz (Mt. Perry.

The name refers to its occurrence near Gatumba, Rwanda.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more G minerals or help write this entry.