Schaferite

General Information:
 Chemical Formula:
NaCa2Mg2(VO4)3
 Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 496.57 gm)
Sodium 4.63 % Na
Calcium 16.14 % Ca
Magnesium 9.79 % Mg
Vanadium 30.78 % V 
Oxygen 38.66 % O 
 Empirical Formula:
NaCa2Mg2(VO4)3
 Environment:
Found in a silicate-rich xenolith in leucite tephrite lava. The magnesium dominant analogue of palenzonaite. A member of the Garnet group.
 IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1998 (Dana # Added)
 Locality:
Bellberg volcano, near Mayen, Laacher See district, Eifel, Germany.
 Name Origin:
Named after Helmut Sch„fer (b. 1931), amateur mineralogist from Mayen-Krrenberg, specialist in the minerals of the Eifel volcanic area, who discovered the mineral.
Physical Properties:
 Cleavage:
None
 Color:
red or orange red.
 Diaphaniety:
Transparent
 Habits:
Octahedral Crystals - Occurs as octahedral shaped crystals., ,
 Hardness:
5 - Apatite
 Luminescence:
Non-fluorescent.
 Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
 Streak:
yellow
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