Reichait

Reichait is a rare mineral that belongs to the phosphate group. Its chemical formula is (Ca,REE)3(PO4)2, indicating that it contains calcium and rare-earth elements. Reichait was first discovered in 1978 and is named after German mineralogist Karl Reich. The mineral is typically found in pegmatites and crystalline limestones, often associated with other rare-earth bearing minerals. Crystals of reichait are usually small and anhedral to subhedral, meaning they are not perfectly formed. Its color can vary, but it is often described as white, gray, or pale yellow. Reichait has a relatively low hardness, typically ranking around 5 on the Mohs scale, and a vitreous to greasy luster. Due to its rarity and the intricate nature of its formation, reichait is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and geologists studying the distribution of rare-earth elements in the Earth's crust. It is not currently used in any significant industrial applications. The presence of rare-earth elements in reichait makes it a subject of scientific study for understanding geological processes and the potential for rare-earth element extraction, though its low abundance generally makes this impractical.