Steenstrupine-(Ce)

steenstrupine-(Ce)

murmanite

ussingite

epistolite

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Formula: Na14Ce6Mn2+2Fe3+2Zr(PO4)7Si12O36(OH)2.3H2O
Cyclosilicate (ring silicate), manganese-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 3.38 to 3.47 measured, 3.63 calculated
Hardness: 4 to 5
Streak: White, rose or tan
Colour: Black to dark brown, brownish red
Common impurities: U,Th
Weakly RADIOACTIVE
Environments

Pegmatites
Hydrothermal environments

Steenstrupine-(Ce) is characteristically associated with ultra-agpaitic (aluminium-poor) pegmatites of nepheline syenite and sodalite syenite (Webmin). It is found in pegmatite veins and late hydrothermal veins, and is generally partly to completely metamict. Associated minerals include lepidolite, aegirine, murmanite, ussingite, natrolite, albite, nordite, epistolite, nepheline and sodalite (HOM, Dana).

Localities

The type locality is the Kangerluarsuk Fjord, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland.

At the Bolshoi Punkaruaiv Mountain, Lovozersky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia, steenstrupine-(Ce) is associated with ferronordite-(La) in the pegmatite cores (Minrec 35.2.178).

At the Palitra pegmatite, Karnasurt mine, Kedykverpakhk Mountain, Lovozersky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia, steenstrupine-(Ce) is common in the core of the pegmatite, as crystals and grains up to 5 cm, associated with microcline, ussingite, sodalite, analcime and, rarely, natrosilite (Minrec 36.5.411).

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