Euxenite
| Euxenite | |
|---|---|
|
Euxenite from Norway, around 11 cm of size | |
| General | |
| Category | Oxide minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6 |
| Strunz classification | 4.DG.05 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Identification | |
| Color | Black, brownish black,greenish black |
| Crystal habit | Massive, anhedral crystals in matrix |
| Twinning | Common on [201] |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Conchoidal to subconchoidal |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5.5 to 6.5 |
| Luster | Brilliant submetallic, waxy to resinous on fractures |
| Streak | Yellowish, grayish, or reddish brown |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque, translucent on thin edges |
| Specific gravity | 4.7 to 5 |
| Optical properties | Isotropic |
| Refractive index | n = 2.06 - 2.24 |
| Other characteristics | Metamict - originally crystalline, now amorphous due to radiation damage. Radioactive |
| References | [1][2][3] |
Euxenite or euxenite-(Y) (a correct mineralogical name) is a brownish black mineral with a metallic luster.
Chemistry
It contains calcium, niobium, tantalum, cerium, titanium, yttrium, and typically uranium and thorium, with some other metals. The chemical formula is: (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6. It is commonly partially amorphous due to radiation damage.
Euxenite forms a continuous series with the titanium rich polycrase-(Y) having the following formula: (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O6
Name and discovery
It was first described in 1870 and named for from the Greek (εύξεινος), hospitable or friendly to strangers, in allusion to the many rare elements that it contains.[3][2]
Occurrence
It occurs in granite pegmatites and detrital black sands.[1]
It is found in many locations worldwide, notably its type locality in Jølster, Sunnfjord, Norway.[2] Other locations include the Ural Mountains of Russia; Sweden; Minas Gerais, Brazil; Ampangabe, Madagascar; Ontario, Canada; and in Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado in the US.[4]
Use
Euxenite is used as an ore of the rare earth elements it contains. Rare large crystals have also been used in jewelry.[4]
References
- 1 2 http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/euxenitey.pdf Minderal Handbook
- 1 2 3 http://webmineral.com/data/Euxenite-(Y).shtml Webmineral data
- 1 2 http://www.mindat.org/min-1425.html Mindat
- 1 2 http://www.galleries.com/minerals/oxides/euxenite/euxenite.htm Mineral Galleries