General Information:
Chemical Formula:(Y,Ce,Ca)(Ta,Nb,Ti)2(O,OH)6
Composition:(Molecular Weight = 480.83 gm)Calcium 1.67 %
CaCerium 2.91 %
CeYttrium 12.94 %
Y Tantalum 52.69 %
TaTitanium 1.99 %
TiNiobium 7.73 %
NbHydrogen 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
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