Euxenita-(Y)
Euxenita-(Y) is a mineral with formula (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)₂O₆, in the Óxidos e hidróxidos group. This specimen comes from Betafo, Vakinankaratra, Madagascar.
Description
Group of prismatic crystals with parallel growth. Pinkish ochre surfaces, an earthy texture and partly preserved edges. Some fractures reveal a black, lustrous interior.
About Euxenita-(Y)
Euxenite is a true witches’ coven of rare elements gathered in a single mineral: yttrium, cerium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, uranium, thorium… It is characteristic of pegmatites enriched in unusual elements, such as those in Madagascar. Uranium and thorium can progressively disrupt its crystal structure through their own radioactivity: metamictisation. A specimen can therefore retain the external shape of its crystals while losing some of its internal order.
About the locality
Betafo, in Vakinankaratra, lies within Madagascar’s rare-element pegmatite region. Prospecting in 1908–1909 identified uranium deposits near Betafo and opened a period of mining linked to interest in radium. The provenance «Betafo» identifies a broad area here, rather than a specific mine.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0708
- Composition
- (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)₂O₆
- Name
- Euxenita-(Y)
- Group
- Óxidos e hidróxidos
- Category
- Núcleus Ardens
- District / Municipality
- Betafo
- Region
- Vakinankaratra
- Country
- Madagascar
- Size (cm)
- 4.3 × 3.7 × 2
- Etymology
- From the Greek «eúxenos», «hospitable», referring to the variety of elements its composition accommodates. The suffix -(Y) indicates the predominance of yttrium.
- Quality
- Notable
- Value trend
- Estable
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