Zhangpeishanite
A barium chloride-fluoride named for Chinese mineralogist Zhang Peishan of Bayan Obo fame.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Zhangpeishanite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the halide class, with the chemical formula BaFCl.
It crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system (space group P4/nmm). It is a member of the Matlockite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 4.54; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Zph, IMA status: approved, named in 2006.
Occurs as inclusions in fluorite in a polymetallic Nb–REE–Fe deposit.
It is found associated with Barite, hematite, norsethite, fluorite.
The mineral was named to honor Professor Zhang Peishan (b. 1925) for his contributions to the mineralogy of Bayan Obo.