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Loparite-(Ce) crystals
© Gilles Haineault
Loparite-(Ce) crystals
© Doug Merson
(Ce,Na,Ca)(Ti,Nb)O
Loparite-(Ce) is moderately rare at Mont Saint-Hilaire.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually black.
Luster is sub-metallic.
Diaphaneity is opaque.
Crystal System is isometric; Pm
Crystal Habits include tiny cubic and octahedral crystals.
Cleavage is not apparent.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 5.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 4.9 g/cm
Streak is brownish.
Associated Minerals include eudialyte, griceite, lovozerite, lueshite,
sodalite, ussingite and villiaumite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit, color and luster.
Origin: Named in 1922 from Russian Lopar, a Lapplander, alluding to
the occurrence of the minerals on the Khibina Tundra.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 4.3.3.3
Strunz Classification
# IV/C.10-50
REFERENCES:
Dana 8:224 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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