Mineral Brazilianite

The chemical composition of the mineral Brazilianite is indicated by the formula NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4, a Sodium Aluminum Phosphate Hydroxide. This Brazilianite belongs to the Phosphates mineral class. The Phosphates group of minerals commonly includes all minerals having a tetrahedral unit indicated by the formula AO4 with a negative three charge, where A can stand to be either antimony, arsenic, phosphorus or vanadium. The basic tetrahedral unit can be combined with other metal ions on a one to one ratio. Usually, it can be found in a more complex combinations with other ions such as the hydroxide groups with formula indicated by (OH), the uranyl groups with formula indicated by (UO2), a halogen or even water molecules. Apatite mineral is the most common phosphate, of which it is considered as an important biological mineral that is commonly found present in the teeth and bones of many animals. A typical phosphate mineral usually exhibits vitreous to dull luster under polarizing reflected light microscopes. Phosphate mineral specimens are often found strongly colored with density measure that is usually above average. The index of refraction found between crossed nicols of geological polarizing light microscope is usually low. The hardness found for most phosphate minerals is commonly at an average ranging from 4 to 7. Some other characteristics and properties vary for each kind of mineral.

Brazilianite is also considered as an unusual gemstone mineral, which commonly shows fascinating appearance under a gemological microscope. Brazilianite is only one of those phosphate minerals that are used as a serious gemstone. There is another one phosphate mineral that is used as a gemstone and this is the mineral apatite. But this apatite is actually not as precious as Brazilianite. But despite this precious image of Brazilianite, it is still not well known to everybody since it is relatively new in the mineral market. Brazilianite mineral specimens are actually found exhibiting a nice fair luster under polarizing reflected light microscopes for geologists. It also shows an interesting color of yellow to greenish yellow when it is viewed in transmitted light of geological microscopes. Brazilianite minerals may look like a yellow topaz but it is usually found to be greener. Even though Brazilianite is not as hard as most other gemstones, it is also considered as one of the hardest phosphate minerals found. Brazilianite mineral species was actually first discovered in the Conselheiro Pena in the Minas Gerais, Brazil in the year 1945. It was actually named after its locality of discovery. Later that time, Brazilianite minerals were also discovered at the Palermo Mine in the New Hampshire.

Brazilianite minerals are commonly found in shades of yellow to greenish yellow in transmitted light of petrographic polarizing light microscopes. They may be also found colorless in appearance and this colorless section of this minerals actually allow the whole constituent of the white light to pass through making the mineral non-pleochroic even between crossed nicols of geological polarizing light microscope. Brazilianite minerals are usually found exhibiting vitreous luster under polarizing reflected light microscopes for geologists. When Brazilianite mineral specimen is evaluated between crossed nicols of petrographic polarizing light microscope, it commonly found showing a perfect cleavage in one direction. The fracture found is commonly conchoidal when it is examined under several adjustments on the aperture diaphragm of the polarized microscopes. Conchoidal fracture is developed in brittle materials that are characterized by smoothly curving surfaces. The hardness measure for Brazilianite mineral specimen using the Mohs scale method is commonly found 5.5. When Brazilianite specimens are rubbed on a white streak plate, they are usually found leaving a white streak. The specific gravity measure of Brazilianite mineral specimen commonly gives an approximate value of 3g/cm³, which is considered average for translucent minerals.

Brazilianite minerals are known to crystallize in the monoclinic system, which can be seen clearly when specimen is evaluated with the aid of polarized light microscope for geologists. The monoclinic system of crystal formation comprises crystals having three axes of unequal lengths. Two of which are usually found in a position that is oblique or not perpendicular to one another. However, both of which are commonly found perpendicular to the third axis. Brazilianite crystals are commonly found transparent to translucent in appearance. The crystal habits of Brazilianite commonly include complex short prismatic and wedge shaped crystals, which are interesting and usually display a fascinating microscope images under a petrographic polarizing light microscope. It can be also clearly found with the aid of this polarizing microscope that these crystals seem to lack any symmetry. Massive crystal formation of Brazilianite mineral is very much unknown. But of course, Brazilianite mineral crystals are quite common. Some Brazilianite crystals are found having well defined faces and with sharp terminations when viewed under polarizing microscopes for geologists. They can be also found as euhedral crystals that occur as well formed crystals commonly showing good external form. Sometimes they are also found as spherical aggregates. Brazilianite minerals are commonly associated with several other fantastic and fascinating minerals such as muscovite, quartz, feldspars and also the secondary and primary phosphates that are usually associated with phosphate rich pegmatites.

Mineral Brazilianite is a biaxial positive figure. It has a marked dispersion in transmitted light of polarized light microscopes. When its specimens are evaluated under a petrographic polarizing light microscope, they are commonly found showing a moderate surface relief. Brazilianite crystals are commonly found striated when its specimens are evaluated with the aid of geological microscopes. The index of refraction is found ranging from 1.60 to 1.62. Because of the nice color and brightness exhibited by the mineral Brazilianite, it is considered suitable to be cut for gemology purposes. It actually a sought after precious stone that is commonly ground into facet cuts, which are really wonderful when viewed under gemological microscopes. Brazilianite crystals are also found brittle, a property that is often displayed by glasses and most non-metallic minerals. This Brazilianite mineral is also a non-fluorescent mineral. The birefringence found is 0.021. There is no specific data on the toxicity and health dangers for mineral Brazilianite. However, mineral specimens of this mineral should be treated with great care and use of sensible precaution is advised upon handling them.

Brazilianite minerals are commonly found in the phosphate rich pegmatites. But there can be also unusual occurrence of Brazilianite in some igneous pegmatites. They can also actually form as hydrothermal minerals in the potassium rich zones of granitic pegmatites. The best field indicators of Brazilianite mineral usually include color, low density, crystal habit and cleavage. Brazilianite minerals notably occur at some types of localities such as Conselheiro Pena and some other famous mining areas in Minas Gerais, Brazil as well as the Smith Mine, Newport in the New Hampshire.