Loparite-(Ce) Explained

Loparite-(Ce)
Category:Oxide minerals
Imasymbol:Lop-Ce[1]
Strunz:4.CC.35
Color:Black to grey-brown in thin section
Habit:Cubic and octahedral crystals and massive
System:Loparit-(Ce)-Q: tetragonal[2]
Loparit-(Ce)-O: orthorhombisch
Loparit-(Ce)-C: cubic[3]
Twinning:Penetration twins common on [111]
Cleavage:[100] Imperfect
Fracture:Uneven
Tenacity:Brittle
Mohs:5.5–6.0
Luster:Metallic to sub-metallic
Refractive:n = 2.26–2.38
Opticalprop:Isotropic, anomalously anisotropic
Streak:Reddish brown
Gravity:4.60–4.89
Diaphaneity:opaque, transparent in thin fragments
References:[4]

Loparite-(Ce) is a granular, brittle oxide mineral of the perovskite class. It is black to dark grey and may appear grey to white in reflected light on polished thin section with reddish brown internal reflections.[5] It has the chemical formula of .[4] Nioboloparite is a variation of loparite-(Ce) containing niobium.

Loparite occurs as a primary phase in nepheline syenite intrusions and pegmatites. It is also found replacing perovskite in carbonatites.[4]

Loparite was first described for an occurrence in the Khibiny and Lovozero massifs, Kola peninsula in northern Russia.

Etymology

The term originates from the word Lopar, the (former) Russian name for the Sami indigenous inhabitants of the Kola peninsula, and the cerium content.[4] [5] [6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3 . 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43 . 2021MinM...85..291W . 235729616 . free.
  2. Mitchell R H, Burns P C, Chakhmouradian A R (2000) The crystal structures of loparite-(Ce), The Canadian Mineralogist 38, 145-152.
  3. Zubkova, N. V., Arakcheeva, A. V., Pushcharovskii, D. Y., Semenov, E. I., & Atencio, D. (2000). Crystal structure of loparite. Crystallography Reports, 45(2), 210-214.
  4. Web site: Loparite-(Ce). 2005. Mineral Handbook. Mineral Data Publishing. 2008-07-19.
  5. Loparite-(Ce) on Webmineral
  6. Loparite-(Ce) on Mindat.org