Loparite is an obsolete name for the mineral loparite-(Ce), belonging to the perovskite group, containing rare earth elements. First mentioned by V. Ramsay, the discoverer of the Lovozero mountain range, as his mineral No. 1. It usually occurs in the form of small crystals. It is characterized by the formation of germination twins. A valuable source of raw materials for the radio-electronic industry.
You can see loparite stone for sale and buy it in the Minerals of Russia online store.
General | |
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Category | Oxide minerals |
Formula (repeating unit) |
(Ce,Na,Ca)(Ti,Nb)O3 |
IMA symbol | Lop-Ce |
Strunz classification | 4.CC.35 |
Crystal system | Loparit-(Ce)-Q: tetragonal Loparit-(Ce)-O: orthorhombisch Loparit-(Ce)-C: cubic |
Identification | |
Color | Black to grey-brown in thin section |
Crystal habit | Cubic and octahedral crystals and massive |
Twinning | Penetration twins common on [111] |
Cleavage | [100] Imperfect |
Fracture | uneven |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 5.5 - 6.0 |
Luster | Metallic to sub-metallic |
Streak | reddish brown |
Diaphaneity | opaque, transparent in thin fragments |
Specific gravity | 4.60-4.89 |
Optical properties | Isotropic, anomalously anisotropic |
Refractive index | n = 2.26–2.38 |