Occurrence and mineralogical characterization of specularite in Damjan ore deposit, North Macedonia

In this paper are presented occurrence and mineralogical characterization of specularite from Damjan ore deposit. The straightforward identification of the studied mineral sample was enabled by SEM-EDS, XRF and XRPD methods. With these methods it can be seen that the phases present are calcite, specularite and quartz. Specularite crystals occur in the surface parts of the deposit. Specularite has a metallic gray to silvery appearance with a glittering luster and reddish streak. It shows a very smooth surface with reflection. The metallic luster is a result of the specific crystal formation of hematite. Manganese and aluminium substitute for Fe³⁺ in the specularite structure. Small amounts of Fe²⁺ and Mn2+ substitute for Ca²⁺ in the crystal lattice on calcite. The well-developed morphology of specularite suggests that it crystallized first. The finer-grained calcite likely formed later, filling the interstitial spaces between the earlier-formed specularite. Key words: specularite; calcite; quartz; Damjan