General Information:
Chemical Formula:
(Y,Ce,Ca)(Ta,Nb,Ti)2(O,OH)6
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 480.83 gm)
Calcium 1.67 % Ca
Cerium 2.91 % Ce
Yttrium 12.94 % Y
Tantalum 52.69 % Ta
Titanium 1.99 % Ti
Niobium 7.73 % Nb
Hydrogen 0.10 % H
Oxygen 19.96 % O
Empirical Formula:
Y0.7Ca0.2Ce0.12(Ta0.7)2(Nb0.2)2(Ti0.1)O5.5(OH)0.5
Environment:
Tin placers.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1987
Locality:
Cooglegong, Pilbara, WA, Australia.
Name Origin:
Named for the composition (Tantalum) and the Greek for "friendly to strangers, hospitable," in allusion to the rare elements that it contains.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[???] Indistinct
Color:
brownish black.
Density:
5.4 - 5.9, Average = 5.65
Diaphaniety:
Subtranslucent to Opaque
Habits:
Indistinct - Crystals or grains are unremarkable or poorly formed. Anhedral to subhedral crystals., Tabular - Form dimensions are thin in one direction., Metamict - Mineral originally crystalline, now amorphous due to radia
Hardness:
5-6 - Between Apatite and Orthoclase
Luster:
Resinous
Streak:
brownish gray
More details...