May 22 2014
Belyankinite is an amorphous mineral, containing zirconium, titanium, oxygen, niobium, hydrogen, and calcium. It was first discovered in Mt. Karnasurt, Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia in 1950. The mineral was named after Dmitry Stepanovich Belyankin, Russian mineralogist and petrographer.
Properties of Belyankinite
The following are the key properties of Belyankinite:
- Crystal Data
- Orthorhombic or monoclinic
- Point Group: n.d
- In platy aggregates, or massive, to 20cm
- X-ray powder pattern: 1.690 (10), 3.21 (8), 2.48 (6), 1.361 (5), 2.90 (3), 2.18 (3), 1.633 (2)
- Chemical Composition
| Elements |
Content 1 |
Content 2 |
| TiO2 |
48.76 |
48.19 |
| H2O- |
17.21 |
18.5 |
| H20+ |
8.35 |
7.20 |
| (Nb, Ta)2O5 |
7.16 |
7.51 |
| CaO |
6.72 |
6.40 |
| ZrO2 |
6.64 |
6.56 |
| SiO2 |
3.96 |
2.80 |
| Na2O |
0.55 |
0.23 |
| Al2O3 |
0.46 |
0.24 |
| Fe2O3 |
n.d. |
1.85 |
| MnO |
- |
0.04 |
| MgO |
- |
0.14 |
| K2O |
trace |
0.20 |
| Total |
99.81 |
99.86 |
- Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Biaxial (-)
- Pleochroism: Distinct
- X = brown to dark brown
- Y = light brown to yellow-brown
- Z = light brown
- Orientation: X = a; Y = b; Z = c
- α = 1.740
- β = ∼1.772-1.778
- γ = 1.775-1.780
- 2V(meas.) = 21°-25°
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density) = 2.32 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Belyankinite = 2.36 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PEBelyankinite = 31.37 barns/electron
U= PEBelyankinite x ρElectron density = 72.75 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.04
Boson index = 0.96 |
Radioactivity
|
Belyankinite is not radioactive
|
How to Identify Belyankinite
Belyankinite is generally observed in yellow or brownish-yellow colors. It has perfect cleavage, transparent to opaque appearance, and vitreous luster. Its fractures are brittle, producing uneven fragments. It can be formed as aggregates or sheets.
The hardness of belyankinite ranges from 2 to 3, and its average density is 2.36 g/cm3.
Global Distribution
Belyankinite is widely distributed in Mt. Karnasurt, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.
Occurrence of Belyankinite and Useful Mineral Association
Belyankinite occurs in nepheline syenite pegmatite in an alkalic massif, and in aegirine and microcline - as a replacement of murmanite.
Minerals such as lamprophyllite, lorenzenite, eudialyte, zeolites, nepheline, microcline, and aegirine are closely related to belyankinite.
References