Britholite-(Ce)
Britholite-(Ce) is a rare radioactive mineral with the chemical formula (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH. It comes in a variety of different colors. Its type locality is Naujakasik (Naajakasik), Tunulliarfik Fjord, Ilímaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kujalleq, Greenland.
| Britholite-(Ce) | |
|---|---|
-154914.jpg.webp) A photo of the mineral | |
| General | |
| Category | Mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH |
| IMA symbol | Bri-Ce[1] |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal - Dipyramidal |
| Space group | P63/m |
| Identification | |
| Colour | Brown, greenish brown, yellow, resin brown, black |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5.5 |
| Luster | Adamantine - Resinous |
| Specific gravity | 4.45 |
| Density | 4.45 |
| Major varieties | |
| hardness | 5.5 on the Mohs scale |
| type locality | Naujakasik(Naajakasik), Tunulliarfik Fjord, Ilímaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kujalleq, Greenland |
Discovery
The mineral was first discovered by Gustaf Flink in 1897 inside a nepheline-syenite at Naujakasik, Ilímaussaq complex, Greenland. It was named after the Greek word βρῖθος (brithos) which means "weight" referring to its high specific gravity, it was later named birtholite-(Ce) due to the high amounts of cerium in its composition.[2]
References
- 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.
- "Britholite-(Ce): Mineral information". Mindat.org. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
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