Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Muiane, Mozambique
SIZE : Diamètre: 4 cm

This sample is a demi-circle crystal of kainosite (Y). The crystals are sphero-striated with well-crystallized pikes. The whole sample measures approximately 4 cm for its diameter.

Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is today kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Kainosite (Y)

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "καινουργιοσ" [kainourgios] that means "strange", in reference to its rarity and its uncommon composition

Species first described in 1886 by Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld (1832-1901), Finnish geologist and mineralogist

Type-locality: Pegmatite of Igeltjern, Hittero island, Flekkfjord, Norway

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Ca2 (Y,Ce)2 Si4O12 (CO3) H2O
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Orthorhombic
COLOR : Colorless, white, yellow, brown
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous to resineous
STREAK : Pale brown
MORPHOLOGY : As small prismatic crystals, radial aggregates
HARDNESS : 5,0-6,0
DENSITY : 3,4-3,6

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Kainosite - phosinaite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/E.9-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.CF.05

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Kainosite (Y)

Kainosite (Y)

MNHN N°204.34

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