Oneillite
| Oneillite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Silicate mineral, Cyclosilicate |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Na15Ca3Mn3Fe3Zr3Nb(Si25O73)(O,OH,H2O)3(OH,Cl)2 (original form) |
| Strunz classification | 8/E.23-40 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal, R3 |
| Unit cell | a=14.19, c=29.98 [Å] (approximated) |
| Identification | |
| Color | Yellowish brown |
| Crystal habit | anhedral grains |
| Crystal symmetry | Trigonal - Pyramidal (3) |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5-6 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent or translucent |
| Density | 3.20 g/cm3 (measured) |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nω=1.65 nε=1.64 (approximated) |
| Pleochroism | None |
| References | [1][2] |
Oneillite is a rare mineral of the eudialyte group with the formula Na15Ca3Mn3Fe2+3Zr3NbSiO(Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2(O,OH,H2O)3(OH,Cl)2.[2][1] The formula is based on the original one but extended to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups and domination of Si at the M4 site. The mineral has lowered symmetry (space group R3, instead of more specific for the group R3m one) due to Ca-Mn ordering.[2] Similar feature is displayed by some other eudialyte-group members: aqualite, labyrinthite, raslakite, and voronkovite.[1] Oneillite is strongly enriched in rare earth elements (REE, mainly cerium), but REE do not dominate any of its sites.[2]
Notes on chemistry
Rare earth elements in oneillite include cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and yttrium, with minor praseodymium and gadolinium. Other impurities are potassium, and minor amounts of aluminium, hafnium, strontium and tantalum.[2]
Occurrence and association
Oneillite is one of four eudialyte-group minerals discovered within alkaline rocks of Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. It associates with aegirine, albite, sodalite, and pyrite.[2]