Euxenite

Euxenite
Euxenite from Norway, around 11 cm of size
General
CategoryOxide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)
2
O
6
IMA symbolEux[1]
Strunz classification4.DG.05
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Space groupPcmn (no. 62)
Identification
ColorBlack, brownish black, greenish black
Crystal habitMassive, anhedral crystals in matrix
TwinningCommon on [201]
CleavageNone
FractureConchoidal to subconchoidal
Mohs scale hardness5.5 to 6.5
LusterBrilliant submetallic, waxy to resinous on fractures
StreakYellowish, grayish, or reddish brown
DiaphaneityOpaque, translucent on thin edges
Specific gravity4.7 to 5
Optical propertiesIsotropic
Refractive indexn = 2.06 – 2.24
Other characteristicsMetamict – originally crystalline, now amorphous due to radiation damage. Radioactive
References[2][3][4]

Euxenite, or euxenite-(Y) (the official mineralogical name), is a brownish black mineral with a metallic luster.

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/euxenitey.pdf Minderal Handbook
  3. ^ http://webmineral.com/data/Euxenite-(Y).shtml Webmineral data
  4. ^ http://www.mindat.org/min-1425.html Mindat