Microlite

microlite

lithium

lepidolite

albite

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The microlite group is a group of minerals comprising
Fluorcalciomicrolite (Ca,Na,☐)2Ta2O6F
Fluornatromicrolite (Na1.5Bi0.5)Ta2O6F
Hydrokenomicrolite (☐,H2O)2Ta2(O,OH)6(H2O)
Hydroxylcalciomicrolite Ca1.5Ta2O6(OH)
Hydroxykenomicrolite (☐,Na,Sb3+)2Ta2O6(OH)
Kenoplumbomicrolite (Pb,☐)2Ta2O6[☐,(OH),O]
Oxybismutomicrolite (Bi1.330.67)Σ2Ta2O6O
Oxycalciomicrolite Ca2Ta2O7
Oxynatromicrolite (Na,Ca,U)2(Ta,Nb)2O6(O,F)
Oxystannomicrolite Sn2Ta2O6O
Oxystibiomicrolite (Sb3+,Ca)2Ta2O6O

These minerals are multiple oxides containing niobium, tantalum or titanium
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 5.9 to 6.4 measured, 6.33 calculated
Hardness: 5 to 5½
Streak: light yellowish, brownish
Colour: pale yellow to reddish brown, sometimes emerald green
Solubility: Insoluble in water, hydrochloric and nitric acid; soluble with decomposition in sulphuric acid
Environments:

Pegmatites

Microlite is found in granitic pegmatites, especially those rich in lepidolite or other lithium-bearing minerals, and in albite.

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