GRAVEGLIAITE Meaning and
Definition
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Gravegliaite is a relatively rare mineral that belongs to the melanocerite group. It is named after the locality of Graveglia Valley in Liguria, Italy, where it was first discovered. This mineral is a part of the orthorhombic crystal system and possesses a brown to black coloration.
The physical properties of gravegliaite include a high density and a hardness rating of approximately 5 on the Mohs scale. It has a sub-metallic luster when freshly broken but can often appear dull due to weathering. Gravegliaite is not known to be radioactive, making it safe for handling and study.
In terms of chemical composition, gravegliaite is a calcium rare earth cerium aluminum and titanium niobium oxide. It forms as a secondary mineral in hydrothermal veins and is commonly found associated with other rare earth minerals. An interesting feature of gravegliaite is its ability to display pleochroism, meaning that it can exhibit different colors when viewed from different angles.
Although gravegliaite is not widely used commercially, it holds significance in the field of mineralogy due to its rarity and unique chemical composition. Its crystalline structure and properties make it an interesting subject for scientific studies, particularly in the study of rare earth minerals and their geological formations.
