Xuite
Xuite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Ca₃Fe₂[AlO₃(OH)]₃.
It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system (space group Ia-3d). It is a member of the Garnet structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 3.53.
IMA symbol Xu, IMA status: approved, named in 2021.
Found in basaltic scoria, produced through oxidation of Fe-bearing pyroclasts at high temperatures. Undergoes dehydroxylation to form brownmillerite from ~236 to ~396 flC.
It is found associated with Luogufengite, valleyite, hematite, quartz, calcite. Distribution From the Menan volcanic complex, near Rexburg, Madison Co., Idaho.
The mineral was named to honor Huifang Xu, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA and Hongwu Xu, Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA, for their contributions to minerals research.