Euxenite

Infobox mineral
name = Euxenite
category = Oxide mineral
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caption = Euxenite from Norway, around 11 cm of size
formula = (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)₂O₆
color = Black, brownish black,greenish black
habit = Massive, anhedral crystals in matrix
system = Orthorhombic
twinning = Common on [201]
cleavage = None
fracture = Conchoidal to subconchoidal
mohs = 5.5 to 6.5
luster = Brilliant submetallic, waxy to resinous on fractures
refractive = n = 2.06 - 2.24
opticalprop = Isotropic
birefringence =
pleochroism =
streak = Yellowish, grayish, or reddish brown
gravity = 4.7 to 5
diaphaneity = Opaque, translucent on thin edges
other = Metamict - originally crystalline, now amorphous due to radiation damage. Radioactive
references = http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/euxenitey.pdf Minderal Handbook] http://webmineral.com/data/Euxenite-(Y).shtml Webmineral data] http://www.mindat.org/min-1425.html Mindat]

Euxenite or euxenite-(Y) (a correct mineralogical name) is a brownish black mineral with a metallic luster. It contains calcium, niobium, tantalum, cerium, titanium, yttrium, and typically uranium and thorium, with some other metals. The chemical formula is: (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)₂O₆. It occurs in granite pegmatites and detrital black sands. It is commonly partially amorphous due to radiation damage.

It was first described in 1870 and named for From the Greek (εΰζευος), "hospitable" or "friendly to strangers", in allusion to the many rare elements that it contains.

It is found in many locations worldwide, notably its type locality in Jølster, Sunnfjord, Norway. Other locations include include the Ural Mountains of Russia; Sweden; Minas Gerais, Brazil; Ampangabe, Madagascar; Ontario, Canada; and in Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado in the U. S. A. http://www.galleries.com/minerals/oxides/euxenite/euxenite.htm Mineral Galleries]

Euxenite is used as an ore of the rare earth elements it contains. Rare large crystals have also been used in jewelry.

References