Britholite-(Ce)
(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
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.
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 britholite-(Ce) due to the high amounts of cerium in its composition.[2]
References
External links
- "Britholite-(Ce) Mineral Data".
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