Menezesite
Menezesite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Ba₃MgZr₄Nb₁₂O₄₂·12H₂O.
It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system (space group Im3). It is a member of the Menezesite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4; specific gravity 4.181; White streak; Vitreous luster.
IMA symbol Mze, IMA status: approved, named in 2005.
Found in a vug in the contact zone between dolomite carbonatite and “jacupirangite” (a pyroxenite).
It is found associated with Dolomite, calcite, magnetite, clinohumite, phlogopite, ancylite-(Ce), strontianite, pyrite, tochilinite.
The mineral was named to honor Luiz Alberto Dias Menezes Filho (b. 1950), mining engineer, mineral collector and merchant.
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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