Euxenite
| Euxenite | |
|---|---|
 Euxenite from Norway, around 11 cm of size | |
| General | |
| Category | Oxide mineral |
| Chemical formula | (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Black, brownish black,greenish black |
| Crystal habit | Massive, anhedral crystals in matrix |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| 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 |
| Refractive index | n = 2.06 - 2.24 |
| Optical Properties | Isotropic |
| Streak | Yellowish, grayish, or reddish brown |
| Specific gravity | 4.7 to 5 |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque, translucent on thin edges |
| Other Characteristics | Metamict - originally crystalline, now amorphous due to radiation damage. Radioactive |
| References | [1][2][3] |
Euxenite or euxenite-Y is a brownish black mineral with a metallic luster. 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 occurs in granite pegmatites and detrital black sands.[1] It is commonly partially amorphous due to radiation damage.
It was first described in 1870 and named for From the Greek (εΰζευος), hospitable or friendly to strangers, in allusion to the many rare elements that it contains.[3][2]
It is found in many locations worldwide, notably its type locality in Jolster, Sondfjord, Norway.[2] Other locations include include the Ural Mountains of Russia; Sweden; Minas Gerais, Brazil; Ampangabe, Madagascar; Ontario, Canada; and in Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado in the U. S. A.[4]
Euxenite is used as an ore of the rare earth elements it contains. Rare large crystals have also been used in jewelry.[4]
References
- a b http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/euxenitey.pdf Minderal Handbook
- a b c http://webmineral.com/data/Euxenite-(Y).shtml Webmineral data
- a b http://www.mindat.org/min-1425.html Mindat
- a b http://www.galleries.com/minerals/oxides/euxenite/euxenite.htm Mineral Galleries
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Euxenite". Image Credit.
