Britholite-(Ce) |
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![]() A photo of the mineral |
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Category | Mineral |
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Formula (repeating unit) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH |
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IMA symbol | Bri-Ce[1] |
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Crystal system | Hexagonal - Dipyramidal |
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Space group | P63/m |
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Colour | Brown, greenish brown, yellow, resin brown, black |
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Mohs scale hardness | 5.5 |
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Luster | Adamantine - Resinous |
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Specific gravity | 4.45 |
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Density | 4.45 |
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hardness | 5.5 on the Mohs scale |
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type locality | Naujakasik(Naajakasik), Tunulliarfik Fjord, Ilímaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kujalleq, Greenland |
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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
External links
Minerals portal