Euxenite

Euxenite or euxenite-Y is a brownish black mineral with a metallic luster. It contains calcium, niobium, tantalum, cerium, titanium, yttrium, and typically uranium and thorium, with some other metals. The chemical formula is: (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)₂O₆. It occurs in granite pegmatites and detrital black sands.^[1] It is commonly partially amorphous due to radiation damage.

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It was first described in 1870 and named for From the Greek (εΰζευος), hospitable or friendly to strangers, in allusion to the many rare elements that it contains.^[3][2]

It is found in many locations worldwide, notably its type locality in Jolster, Sondfjord, Norway.^[2] Other locations include include the Ural Mountains of Russia; Sweden; Minas Gerais, Brazil; Ampangabe, Madagascar; Ontario, Canada; and in Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado in the U. S. A.^[4]

Euxenite is used as an ore of the rare earth elements it contains. Rare large crystals have also been used in jewelry.^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/euxenitey.pdf Minderal Handbook
2. ^ ^{a b c} http://webmineral.com/data/Euxenite-(Y).shtml Webmineral data
3. ^ ^{a b} http://www.mindat.org/min-1425.html Mindat
4. ^ ^{a b} http://www.galleries.com/minerals/oxides/euxenite/euxenite.htm Mineral Galleries