| Betafite | |
|---|---|
 Betafite dodecahedron, Locality: Bancroft, Ontario, Canada | |
| General | |
| Category | Oxide minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (Ca,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O6(OH) |
| IMA symbol | Btf[1] |
| Strunz classification | 4.DH.15 |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Space group | Fd3m (no. 227) |
| Identification | |
| Color | Brown, Black, Brownish green, Yellow, Greenish black |
| Crystal habit | Massive - Granular |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5 - 5.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | Yellowish white |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent to Opaque |
| Density | 3.7 - 4.9 |
| Other characteristics |  Radioactive 17.2% (U) |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Betafite is a mineral group in the pyrochlore supergroup, with the chemical formula (Ca,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O6(OH). Betafite typically occurs as a primary mineral in granite pegmatites, rarely in carbonatites. Originally defined by the B-site atom Ti,[5] the development of new nomenclature for mineral names[6] led to modernization of the system for nomenclature of pyrochlore and betafite in order to further rationalize the naming process of this grouping of minerals. Only two of the mineral species that were formerly recognized as betafite[7] are presently retained.[5] They are oxyuranobetafite and oxycalciobetafite. The term betafite is now a synonym or varietal group name under the pyrochlore super group.[8]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Prinz, Martin; Harlow, George; Peters, Joseph, eds. (1978). "Oxides and Hydroxides". Simon & Schuster's guide to rocks and minierals. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc. ISBN 978-0671244170.
- ^ Betafite mineral data, Mindat.org, retrieved 2 July 2022
- ^ Barthelmy, David (2014). "Betafite Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
AtencioEta2010was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Hatert, F.; Burke, E. A.J. (1 June 2008). "The Ima-CNMNC Dominant-Constituent Rule Revisited and Extended". The Canadian Mineralogist. 46 (3): 717–728. Bibcode:2008CaMin..46..717H. doi:10.3749/canmin.46.3.717. hdl:2268/77775.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Hogarth1977was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Christy, A. G.; Atencio, D. (February 2013). "Clarification of status of species in the pyrochlore supergroup". Mineralogical Magazine. 77 (1): 13–20. Bibcode:2013MinM...77...13C. doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.1.02. S2CID 65081781.