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www.mineralgallery.co.za Minerals A-E |
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Euxenite |
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Name
Euxenite
Chemistry
(Y, Ca, Er, La, Ce, U, Th)(Nb, Ta, Ti)2 O6
Uses
Minor ore of rare earth elements and uranium, gemstone or as mineral specimen.
Color
Brownish black, black, dark brown, brown, olive green, yellow
Hardness
5.5-6.5
Specific gravity
4.3 - 5.9
Crystals
Orthorombic.
Accompanied by:
In granitic pegmatites.
Fracture
Brittle
Luster
Metallic to vitreous/ greasy (oily)
Cleavage
None, fracture brittle conchoidal.
Streak
Light brown, reddish brown, yellow, brown or gray.
Similar to:
Chalcopyrite, Columbite, Feldspar, Monazite, Molybdenite, Tantalite, Quartz
Euxenite got it's name from the greek word "euxenos", which means hospitable to strangers (a reference to its accommodating nature.
It played an important role in the discovery of Scandium ( 21st element of the periodic tabel).
It is sometimes cut into attractive gems and used as cabochons.
It is slightly radioactive and the crystals or specimens are often coated with a
yellow limonite like earthy coating.
Eusenite is a lustrous, blackish-brown rare-earth mineral consisting mainly of Cerium, Erbium, Titanium, Uranium, and Yttrium.
It is a mineral blend containing elements ranging from "non-metals" to "transition elements" to "alkaline earth metals" to "lanthanides" (rare earths), to radioactive "actinides".
Euxenite is found in rare earth rich, granite pegmatites, a slow cooling igneous intrusive rock
