Euxenite-(Y)
Mineral (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6
Take care.
- Radioactive: Keep it in a closed, labelled box away from where people sit or sleep, handle it briefly, wash your hands after, and never grind or cut it.
About it
Black, pitch-like crystals and masses with a greasy shine in granite pegmatites, radioactive from uranium and thorium. Usually glassy inside from radiation damage; known from Norway and Madagascar.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Oxide, euxenite group
- Formula
- (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5.5–6.5
- Specific gravity
- 4.3–5.9
- Streak
- reddish brown
- Lustre
- greasy, submetallic, resinous
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Colours
- black, brownish black, brown
- Transparency
- opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- none; conchoidal fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.