Zirkelite

Zirkelite
General
Category	Oxide mineral
Formula (repeating unit)	(Ti,Ca,Zr)O(2-x)
Strunz classification	4.DL.05
Crystal system	Isometric
Crystal class	Hexoctahedral (m3m) H-M symbol: (4/m 3 2/m)
Unit cell	a = 5.02 Å, Z = 4
Identification
Color	black, reddish brown
Crystal habit	Crystalline, metamict, pseudocubic
Cleavage	none
Fracture	brittle
Luster	Resinous
Streak	brownish grey
Diaphaneity	Subtranslucent to opaque[1]
Density	4.7
Other characteristics	Radioactive

Zirkelite is an oxide mineral with formula: (Ca,Th,Ce)Zr(Ti,Nb)₂O₇. It occurs as well-formed fine sized isometric crystals. It is a black, brown or yellow mineral with a hardness of 5.5 and a specific gravity of 4.7.

Name and discovery[]

Zirkelite was first discovered in Brazil in 1895. It was named for German petrographer Ferdinand Zirkel (1838–1912).

Occurrence[]

Initial discovery was from the Jacupiranga carbonatite, Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is also found in Canada, Kazakhstan, Norway, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

References[]

• Webmineral data
• Mindat localities
• Mineral Data Publishing

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