Aeschynite-(Nd)

 IMA-A
Thorium
(minor)		 8.3.6.5
(Dana Classification Number)
(No Images) 4/D.21-30
(Strunz ID)

Property Data Remarks
Named for: Its composition, and the Greek word for "shame," due to the inability of the chemists at the time of its discovery to separate its constituent elements.
Alternate
    Name(s):
  • Eschynite
  
Mineral Class:
Oxides
  Oxides with metal (metal:oxygen = 1:2)
    Aeschynite series
 
Chemical
    Formula:		 (Nd,Ce,Ca,Th)(Ti,Nb)2(O,OH)6  
Chemical
    Composition:		 Variable by weight
Molecular
    Weight:		 Variable daltons (amu)
Specific
    Radioactivity:

(All radiation is for a 1 gram, fully aged specimen)

Specific Activity Dose Rate
Becquerels Curies  milliRems 
hour		  microSieverts 
hour
921 2.49 × 10-08 0.013 1.31

Estimated Average Annual Exposure: 360 mRem (3.6 milliSieverts)
Crystalography:
System: Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal
Axial Ratios: a:  
b:  
c:  
Cell Dimensions: a:   Å
b:   Å
c:   Å
Z:  
V:   Å3
DenCalc:  
H-M Symbol: 2/m 2/m 2/m
Space Group: Pmnb (?)
X-Ray Diffraction:
  By Intensity ( I/Io )		 (1): 2.93 Å
(0.9): 3.0 Å
(0.7): 1.575 Å
 
Habit:
  • Radial
  • Metamict
    		•   
    Cleavage:
    [001]  
    [010]  
    [100]  
    		 
    Fracture: Brittle - Conchoidal  
    Moh's
        Hardness:    		 5 - 6  
    Density: 4.6 - 5.04 grams/cm3
    Color: Light to dark brown  
    Streak: Light brown to brown  
    Luster: Adamantine  
    Diaphaniety: Subtranslucent  
    Pleochroism:
    (x):  
    (y:)  
    (z:)  
    		 
    Ultra Violet
        Fluorescence:
    Long Wave:  
    Short Wave:  
    		 
    Magnetism: Non-magnetic  
    Occurance:
  		•  
    Associated
        Minerals:

    Aeschynite-(Ce), Aeschynite-(Y), Albite, Anatase, 'Apatite', Beryl, Bismutite, Chalcopyrite, Chevkinite-(Ce), Calcite, Cerianite-(Ce), Dolomite, Gadolinite-(Y), Galena, 'Garnet Group', Goethite, Fergusonite-(Ce), Fergusonite-(Nd), Fergusonite-beta-(Nd), Fluorite, Hematite, Ilmenite, Magnetite, 'Mica', Microcline, Molybdenite, Monazite-(Ce), Muscovite, Opal, Pyrite, Pyrochlore, Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz, Riebeckite, Rutile, Samarskite, Sphalerite, Strontianite, Thorite, 'Tourmaline Group', Zhonghuacerite-(Ce), Zircon

    Mineral   -   > 65% of sites
    Mineral   -   > 30% of sites
    Minerals   -   Uranium & Thorium
    mineral links

    		These are minerals known to be found with Aeschynite-(Nd)
    Localities:

    Rare

    Aeschynite-(Nd) Localities
    Notes:

    Strongly radioactive a- and b-particles, g-rays.

    Crystals are probably metamic.