kaukasiteitä

Kaukasiteitä is a rare mineral belonging to the phosphate group. Its chemical formula is Ca2Al3(PO4)3(OH)2·3H2O. The mineral is named after the Caucasus Mountains, where it was first discovered. Kaukasiteitä typically forms in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks, often associated with other phosphate minerals like apatite and tourmaline.

Visually, kaukasiteitä usually presents as small, prismatic crystals, often white, pale yellow, or colorless. It is known for its vitreous luster and a hardness of around 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs scale. The mineral is relatively fragile, meaning it can break easily. Its specific gravity is typically around 2.8.

While not an economically significant mineral for extraction, kaukasiteitä is of interest to mineral collectors due to its rarity and distinct crystallography. Its geological occurrence provides insights into the formation conditions of pegmatitic and metamorphic environments. Further research into kaukasiteitä contributes to the broader understanding of phosphate mineral chemistry and paragenesis.