LIEBAUITE Meaning and
Definition
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Liebauite is a rare mineral that belongs to the phosphate family and is typically found in granite pegmatites. This mineral was discovered in 1968 in the Kragerø area of Norway and was named after the German mineralogist Dr. Franz Liebau.
Liebauite possesses a unique crystal structure and is usually found in prismatic or acicular (needle-like) crystal forms. It has a typically brownish to pale yellow color and may sometimes exhibit a translucent appearance. While it does not possess a distinct luster, liebauite often displays a vitreous or resinous sheen on its surface.
Chemically, liebauite is composed of various elements, including calcium, manganese, hydrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen. Its chemical formula is Ca(Mn2+,Mn3+)(PO4)(OH), reflecting its elemental composition. This mineral exhibits a variable degree of transparency, ranging from transparent to opaque.
As a geological term, liebauite is used to describe this specific mineral and its properties. Due to its scarcity and limited occurrence, liebauite is not widely known or utilized in various industrial applications. However, its unique crystal structure and composition make it a subject of interest for mineral collectors and researchers in the field of mineralogy.
