Britholite-(Ce)

(repeating unit)(Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OHIMA symbolBri-Ce[1]Crystal systemHexagonal - DipyramidalSpace groupP63/mIdentificationColourBrown, greenish brown, yellow, resin brown, blackMohs scale hardness5.5LusterAdamantine - ResinousSpecific gravity4.45Density4.45Major varietieshardness5.5 on the Mohs scaletype localityNaujakasik(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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Britholite-(Ce): Mineral information". Mindat.org. Retrieved 7 August 2020.

External links

  • "Britholite-(Ce) Mineral Data".

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