Formula: (Ca,Na,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O6(OH)
Origin of name: After locality; Betafo, Madagascar
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal class: 4/m -3 2/m
Twinning:
Unit cell: a = 10.29 Ǻ
Colour: Black, brown, greenish brown, yellowish brown, yellow
Diaphaneity:
Luster: Submetallic, waxy, greasy, vitreous
Habit: Crystals octahedral
Hardness: 3 to 5.5
Specific gravity: 4.15
Cleavage: None
Tenacity: Conchoidal to uneven; brittle
Streak:
Synonyms/varieties: Aluminobetafite (Al-rich var.), mendelejevite, tantalbetafite, titanbetafite
Comments:
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