From Handwiki | Dualite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Silicate mineral, cyclosilicate |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Na30(Ca,Na,Ce,Sr)12(Na,Mn,Fe,Ti)6Zr3Ti3MnSi51O144(OH,H2O,Cl)9 |
| Strunz classification | 9.CO.10 |
| Dana classification | 64.1b.1.4 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Crystal class | Ditrigonal pyramidal (3m) H-M symbol: (3m) |
| Space group | R3m |
| Unit cell | a = 14.15, c = 60.72 [Å] (approximated); Z = 3 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Yellow |
| Crystal habit | Anhedral grains |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5 |
| |re|er}} | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent or translucent |
| Density | 2.84 (measured), 2.81 (calculated; approximated) |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | nω = 1.61, nε = 1.61 (approximated) |
| Pleochroism | None |
| Ultraviolet fluorescence | No |
| References | [1][2] |
Dualite is a very rare and complex mineral of the eudialyte group, its complexity being expressed in its formula Na30(Ca,Na,Ce,Sr)12(Na,Mn,Fe,Ti)6Zr3Ti3MnSi51O144(OH,H2O,Cl)9.[1][2] The formula is simplified as it does not show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. The name of the mineral comes from its dual nature: zircono- and titanosilicate at once. Dualite has two modules in its structure: alluaivite one and eudialyte one.[2] After alluaivite and labyrinthite it stands for third representative of the eudialyte group with essential titanium.[1]
Dualite was found in peralkaline pegmatoid rock at Mt Alluaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula Russia. It associates with aegirine, alkaline amphibole, cancrinite, eudialyte, K-Na feldspar, lamprophyllite, lomonosovite, lovozerite, nepheline, sodalite, sphalerite, villiaumite, and vuonnemite.[2]
Dualite admixtures not mentioned in the formula are especially that of niobium, with lesser amount of aluminium, barium, potassium, neodymium and lanthanum. Dualite is chemically similar to labyrinthite and rastsvetaevite.[2]
Dualite has doubled c value when compared to ordinary eudialyte. Its structural framework has 24 layers.[2]
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Categories: [Cyclosilicates] [Sodium minerals] [Calcium minerals] [Zirconium minerals] [Titanium minerals] [Manganese minerals] [Trigonal minerals] [Minerals in space group 160]