Pyrochlore

Formula: (Ca,Na)2Nb2O6(OH,F)

Origin of name: from Greek for fire and green

 

Crystal system: cubic

Crystal class: 4/m -3 2/m

Twinning: rare by spinel law

Unit cell: a = 10.42 Å

 

Colour: yellowish brown, reddish brown, brown to black

Diaphaneity: 

Luster: vitreous to resinous

Habit: crystals octahedral, to 1 cm, irregular masses, embedded grains

Hardness: 5 to 5.5

Specific gravity: 4.48

Cleavage: 1; {111} sometimes distinct, or parting

Tenacity: subconchoidal to uneven, brittle

Streak: 

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments: series with microlite

 

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