The Bikitaite mineral
March 20, 2019
Bikitaite was named for the type locality in Bikita in the Masvingo District of Zimbabwe.
The only other locality for Bikitaite is in the United States at the Foote Lithium Co. Mine in North Carolina, USA. Bikitaite occurs as a late-forming mineral within fractures in lithium-rich pegmatites. Associated minerals include eucryptite, quartz, Petalite, feldspar, calcite, stilbite, allophone, albite, and fairfieldite.
| Formula | LiAlSi2O6·H2O |
|---|---|
| Crystal System | Triclinic |
| Crystal Habit | Aggregates |
| Cleavage | Perfect, Good, None |
| Luster | Vitreous (Glassy) |
| Color | colorless, white |
| Streak | white |
| Class | Triclinic - Pedial |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Hardness | 6 |
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