Kentbrooksite

Kentbrooksite
General
Category Silicate mineral, Cyclosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Na,REE)15(Ca,REE)6Mn3Zr3NbSi25O74F2·2H2O (original form)
Strunz classification 8/E.23-20
Dana classification 64.1.2.1
Crystal system Trigonal, R3m'
Unit cell a=14.24, c=30.03 [Å] (approximated)
Identification
Color Yellow-brown
Crystal habit aggregates (anhedral to subhedral)
Crystal symmetry Trigonal - Ditrigonal Pyramidal (3m)
Cleavage None
Fracture Uneven
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 5-6
Luster Vitreous
Streak White
Diaphaneity Transparent
Density 3.10 (measured)
Optical properties Uniaxial (-)
Refractive index nω=1.63, nε=1.62 (approximated)
Pleochroism None
Other characteristics Pyroelectric
References [1][2]

Kentbrooksite is a moderately rare mineral of the eudialyte group,[1] with formula (Na,REE)15(Ca,REE)6Mn3Zr3NbSi[(Si9O27)2(Si3O9)2O2]F2·2H2O.[2] This extended formula shows the presence of cyclic silicate groups and dominance of Si at the M4 site, according to the nomenclature of the eudialyte group.[3] The characteristic features of kentbrooksite, that make it different from eudialyte are: (1) dominancy of fluorine (the only currently known example among the whole group[1]), (2) dominancy of manganese, and (3) dominancy of niobium. Trace hafnium and magnesium are also reported.[2] Kentbrooksite is relatively common when compared to most other species of the group.[1]

Occurrence

Kentbrooksite was found in alkaline pegmatites within pulaskites of the Kangerdlugssuaq intrusion in East Greenland.[2]

Notes on chemistry

Rare earth elements (REE) in kentbrooksite are dominated by cerium and yttrium. Potassium, strontium, iron, aluminium,titanium, magnesium are present as other admixtures. An important fraction of fluorine is substituted by chlorine and hydroxyl groups.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mindat, Kentbrooksite, http://www.mindat.org/min-7132.html
  2. 1 2 3 4 Johnsen, O., Grice, J.D., and Gault, R.A., 1998. Kentbrooksite from the Kangerdlugssuaq intrusion, East Greenland, a new Mn-REE-Nb-F end-member in a series within the eudialyte group: Description and crystal structure. European Journal of Mineralogy 10(2), 207-220.
  3. Johnsen, O., Ferraris, G., Gault, R.A., Grice, D.G., Kampf, A.R., and Pekov, I.V., 2003. The nomenclature of eudialyte-group minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist 41, 785-794


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