Aeschynite-

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Aeschynite- (Ce)

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Aeschynite-(Ce)
General
Category Mineral
Chemical formula (Ce,Ca,Fe,Th)(Ti,Nb)2(O,OH)6
Strunz classification 04.DF.05
Dana classification 08.03.06.01
Crystal symmetry Orthorhombic
Unit cell a = 11.08 Å, b = 7.56 Å, c = 5.37 Å; Z = 4
Identification
Molar mass 305.70 gm
Color Brown, light brown, brownish black, yellow, black
Crystal habit Acicular, massive
Crystal system Orthorhombic - dipyramidal
Cleavage None
Fracture Brittle - conchoidal
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 5 - 6
Luster Adamantine, resinous to waxy, sub-metallic; dull when altered
Streak Nearly black to brown
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity 4.52
Density 5.19
Optical properties Isotropic when metamict
Refractive index 2.26
References [1][2][3][4][5]

Aeschynite-(Ce) (or Aschynite, Eschinite, Eschynite) is a rare earth mineral of cerium, calcium, iron, thorium, titanium, niobium, oxygen, and hydrogen with formula: (Ce,Ca,Fe,Th)(Ti,Nb)2(O,OH)6. Its name comes from the Greek word for "shame". The "-(Ce)" means it has more cerium than the yttrium variety aeschynite-(Y). Its Mohs scale rating is 5-6.

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