Melcherite
Melcherite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Ba₂Na₂Mg[Nb₆O₁₉]·6H₂O.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group R-3). It is a member of the Peterandresenite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 3.733; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Mlh, IMA status: approved, named in 2015.
Found in a vug in dolomitic carbonatite.
It is found associated with Dolomite, calcite, ‘pyrochlore’, magnetite, pyrrhotite, tochilinite, pyrite, fluorapatite.
The mineral was named to honor Geraldo Conrado Melcher (1924-2011), a pioneer in Jacupiranga carbonatite studies.
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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