Fergusonite

Fergusonite
General
CategoryOxide minerals
FormulaREENbO4 (REE: rare-earth element)
IMA symbolFgs[1]
Strunz classification7.GA.05
Crystal systemTetragonal
Crystal classDipyramidal (4/m)
H-M symbol: (4/m)
Space groupI41/a
Identification
Formula mass245.81 g/mol (Y)
ColorBlack, black, brown, gray, yellow
Crystal habitMetamict – mineral originally crystalline, now amorphous due to radiation damage
CleavageIndistinct
FractureSubconchoidal – fractures developed in brittle materials characterized by semi-curving surfaces
Mohs scale hardness5.5–6
LusterSubmetallic
StreakBrown
Density4.3–5.8, average = 5.05
Refractive index2.05–2.19, isotropic
Other characteristicsNonmagnetic, non-fluorescent, non-radioactive
References[2]

Fergusonite is a mineral comprising a complex oxide of various rare-earth elements. The general chemical formula of fergusonite is (Y,REE)NbO4, where REE = rare-earth elements in solid solution with Y. Yttrium is usually dominant (the mineral in this case being referred to as fergusonite-(Y)), but sometimes Ce or Nd may be the major rare-earth component (in fergusonite-(Ce) and fergusonite-(Nd), respectively). The other rare-earth elements are present in smaller amounts, and tantalum sometimes substitutes for some of the niobium. There are fergusonite-beta-(Nd), fergusonite-beta-(Y), fergusonite-beta-(Ce) forms too, but they are classified as 4.DG.10 in the Nickel–Strunz system. The mineral has tetragonal crystal symmetry and the same structure as scheelite (calcium tungstate, CaWO4), but can be metamict (amorphous) due to radiation damage from its small content of thorium. It is found as needle-like or prismatic crystals in pegmatite. It was named after British politician and mineral collector Robert Ferguson of Raith (1767–1840).[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Fergusonite-(Y) Mineral Data. Webminerals.
  3. ^ Robert Ferguson of Raith. University of Edinburgh.
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