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Clinofergusonite-(Nd)

A valid IMA mineral species
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08430760017271923037329.jpg
Robert Ferguson
Formula:
(Nd,Ce)NbO4
Colour:
Red, brownish red, yellowish brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
5½ - 6½
Specific Gravity:
6.45
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Originally named fergusonite-β-(Nd) in allusion to its dimorphous relation to fergusonite-(Nd). Renamed to clinofergusonite-(Nd) in 2022 by the IMA, where 'clino' indicates that the species is monoclinic. The root name honors Robert Ferguson (8 September 1769 – 3 December 1840, London, England) of Raith, Scottish landowner, politician and mineral collector.
This page provides mineralogical data about Clinofergusonite-(Nd).


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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1466
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1466:9

Similar NamesHide

Clinofergusonite-(Ce)A valid IMA mineral speciesCeNbO4
Clinofergusonite-(Y)A valid IMA mineral speciesYNbO4

IMA Classification of Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
IMA Formula:
NdNb5+O4
First published:
1983

Classification of Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
4.DG.10

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
G : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th ed.:
8.1.2.3

8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
Hey's CIM Ref.:
18.2.6

18 : Niobates and Tantalates
2 : Niobates and tantalates containing rare earths but not U

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
Fgs-Nd-βIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
FgsThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Physical Properties of Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Red, brownish red, yellowish brown
Streak:
Pale brown
Hardness:
5½ - 6½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
6.45 g/cm3 (Measured)    

Optical Data of Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 2.0
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).

This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral colouration.
In focus
Comments:
metamict

Chemistry of Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Mindat Formula:
(Nd,Ce)NbO4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Nd47.898 %
Nb30.851 %
O21.251 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Nd
Nb
O
Elements listed:
Ce, Nb, Nd, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.07 Å, b = 5.62 Å, c = 5.41 Å
β = 93°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.902 : 1 : 0.963
Unit Cell V:
153.94 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Space Group I2 heat treated

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.21 Å(8)
3.04 Å(10)
2.82 Å(8)
2.73 Å(3)
2.57 Å(4)
1.899 Å(3)
1.799 Å(3)
1.603 Å(4)
Locality:
West Mine, Bayan Obo deposit, Bayan Obo mining district, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, China

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites

Type Occurrence of Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Type Locality:
ⓘ West Mine, Bayan Obo deposit, Bayan Obo mining district, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, China
General Appearance of Type Material:
Irregular grains and rarely prismatic and bipyramidal, (0.02-0.06 mm, max. 0.25 mm).
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
TGA-Sinosteel, China.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In a niobium-rare earth deposit in a proterozoic riebeckitized dolomite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Aeschynite-(Nd)BastnäsiteBiotiteDolomiteFergusonite-(Ce)
'Fergusonite-(Nd)'IlmeniteMagnetiteMonazite GroupPyrite
Riebeckite

Synonyms of Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Other Language Names for Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Clinofergusonite-(Nd) associated with Monazite GroupREE(PO4)
1 photo of Clinofergusonite-(Nd) associated with Riebeckite◻Na2(Fe2+3Fe3+2)Si8O22(OH)2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.DG.05FersmiteCaNb2O6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
4.DG.05Uranopolycrase(U4+,Y)(Ti,Nb)2O6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
4.DG.05Yttrocrasite-(Y)(Y,Th,Ca,U)(Ti,Fe)2(O,OH)6Amor.
4.DG.05Tanteuxenite-(Y)Y(Ta,Nb,Ti)2(O,OH)6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
4.DG.05Loranskite-(Y)(Y,Ce,Ca)ZrTaO6 (?)
4.DG.05Euxenite-(Y)(Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
4.DG.05Kobeite-(Y)(Y,U)(Ti,Nb)2(O,OH)6 (?)Iso.
4.DG.10Yttrotantalite-(Y)(Y,U,Fe2+)(Ta,Nb)(O,OH)4Orth.
4.DG.10Clinofergusonite-(Y)YNbO4Mon. 2/m
4.DG.10Clinofergusonite-(Ce)CeNbO4Mon. 2/m : B2/m
4.DG.15FoorditeSn2+Nb2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.DG.15ThoreauliteSn2+Ta2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.DG.20RaspitePb(WO4)Mon. 2/m : P21/b

Other InformationHide

Magnetism:
Paramagnetic
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

References for Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Localities for Clinofergusonite-(Nd)Hide

Showing 1 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China (TL)
 
  • Inner Mongolia
    • Baotou City
      • Bayan Obo mining district
        • Bayan Obo deposit
Sun Weijun et al. (1983)
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