Joaquinite

Real mineral · very rare · NaFe++Ba₂Ce₂(Ti,Nb)₂[Si₄O₁₂]₂O₂(OH,F)•(H₂O)

A rare cerium titanium silicate in small honey-yellow tablets, found with benitoite and neptunite in the serpentinite of San Benito County and almost nowhere else.

Identity

Formula

NaFe++Ba₂Ce₂(Ti,Nb)₂[Si₄O₁₂]₂O₂(OH,F)•(H₂O)

Chemical class

silicate

Also known as

Joaquinite-(Ce)

Crystallography

Crystal system

monoclinic

Habits

tabular, prismatic

Fracture

uneven

Physical properties

Mohs hardness

5

Density

3.8 g/cm³

Luster

vitreous

Colors

brown, honey yellow, orange

Streak

white

Transparency

transparent, translucent

Geology

Origins

hydrothermal, metamorphic

Host rocks

serpentinite, natrolite vein

Associated minerals

Benitoite, Neptunite, Natrolite

Geography

USA

Classification

Rarity

very rare

Gem quality

No

Browse the Crystal Encyclopedia — MGS Toolbox