Zirkelite
| Zirkelite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Oxide mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (Ti,Ca,Zr)O(2-x) |
| Strunz classification | 4.DL.05 |
| Crystal system | Isometric |
| Unit cell | a = 5.02 Å |
| Identification | |
| Color | black, reddish brown |
| Crystal habit | Crystalline, metamict, pseudocubic |
| Crystal symmetry | Isometric |
| Cleavage | none |
| Fracture | brittle |
| Luster | Resinous |
| Streak | brownish grey |
| Diaphaneity | Subtranslucent to opaque[1] |
| Density | 4.7 |
Zirkelite is an oxide mineral with formula: (Ca,Th,Ce)Zr(Ti,Nb)2O7. It occurs as well-formed fine sized isometric crystals. It is a black, brown or yellow mineral with a hardness of 5.5 and a specific gravity of 4.7.
Name and discovery
Zirkelite was first discovered in Brazil in 1895. It was named for German petrographer Ferdinand Zirkel (1838–1912).
Occurrence
Initial discovery was from the Jacupiranga carbonatite, Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is also found in Canada, Kazakhstan, Norway, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
References
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