Grossite

Grossite is a calcium aluminium oxide mineral with formula CaAl4O7. It is a colorless to white vitreous mineral which crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system.

Grossite
General
CategoryOxide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
CaAl4O7
IMA symbolGss
Strunz classification4.CC.15
Dana classification07.03.02.01
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupC2/c
Unit cella = 12.94, b = 8.91
c = 5.44 [Å]; β = 107.01°; Z = 4
Identification
ColorColorless to white
Crystal habitLathlike or subhedral rounded grains in polycrystalline aggregates rimmed by melilite (in meteorites)
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity2.88
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive indexnα = 1.618 nβ = 1.618 nγ = 1.652
Birefringenceδ = 0.034
2V angleMeasured: 15°
References

Grossite was first described 1994 for an occurrence in the Hatrurim Formation of Israel. It was named for Shulamit Gross (1923–2012) of the Geological Survey of Israel.

It occurs within high temperature metamorphosed impure limestone of the Hatrurim Formation and also within calcium-aluminium rich inclusions in chondritic meteorites. Associated minerals in the Hatrurium include brownmillerite, mayenite and larnite. In meteorites it occurs with perovskite, melilite, hibonite, spinel and calcium rich pyroxene.

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