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Enalite

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Formula:
(Th,REE,Al) [(PO4),(SiO4),(OH)]
Colour:
orange-yellow
Lustre:
Resinous
Specific Gravity:
4.721
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named for the discovery locality at Fukuoka, Fukuoka-cho, Ena-gun, Gifu Prefecture, Chubu Region, Honshu Island, Japan.
Many references (and even the original description) call enalite a uranium-rich variety of thorite, but this is not possible, considering that phosphate dominates over silicate. It could be considered either a Th-Si-rich xenotime, or an independent member of the xenotime-thorite group, or perhaps a crystal composed of fine zoning with two different species. Studied material would need to be revisited to determine if this "mineral" is simply a mixture. It is not considered a valid species by the IMA-CNMNC

Originally reported from Fukuoka, Fukuoka-cho, Ena-gun, Gifu Prefecture, Chubu Region, Honshu Island, Japan.


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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
27201
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:27201:0

Similar NamesHide

AniliteA valid IMA mineral speciesCu7S4
InneliteA valid IMA mineral species Ba4Ti2Na(NaMn2+)Ti(Si2O7)2[(SO4)(PO4)]O2[O(OH)]
NealiteA valid IMA mineral speciesPb4Fe2+(As3+O3)2Cl4 · 2H2O

IMA Classification of EnaliteHide

Classification of EnaliteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
9.AH.70

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
H : Nesosilicates with CO3, SO4, PO4, etc.

Physical Properties of EnaliteHide

Lustre:
Resinous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Orange-yellow
Density:
4.721 g/cm3 (Measured)    

Chemistry of EnaliteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Th,REE,Al) [(PO4),(SiO4),(OH)]
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Th53.208 %
O33.019 %
P7.102 %
Si6.440 %
H0.231 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Al, H, O, P, Si, Th - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of EnaliteHide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Comment:
No data

First Recorded Occurrence of EnaliteHide

Other Language Names for EnaliteHide

Dutch:Enaliet
German:Enalit
Japanese:恵那石
Spanish:Enalita

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.AH.Fluorbritholite-(Nd)Ca2Nd3(SiO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.05Iimoriite-(Y)Y2[SiO4][CO3]Tric. 1 : P1
9.AH.10Tundrite-(Ce)Na2Ce2Ti(SiO4)(CO3)2O2Tric. 1 : P1
9.AH.10Tundrite-(Nd)Na2(Nd,Ce)2Ti(SiO4)(CO3)2O2
9.AH.15GaluskiniteCa7(SiO4)3(CO3) Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.AH.15SpurriteCa5(SiO4)2(CO3)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.AH.20TernesiteCa5(SiO4)2(SO4)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.AH.20SilicocarnotiteCa5[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.AH.25Britholite-(Ce)(Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OHHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.25Britholite-(Y)(Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3OHHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.25MattheddleitePb5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5(Cl,OH)Hex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.25Fluorbritholite-(Ce)(Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.25FluorellestaditeCa5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5FHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.25Fluorbritholite-(La)Ca2La3(SiO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.25Fluorbritholite-(Y)(Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.25HydroxylellestaditeCa5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5(OH)Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mcm
9.AH.25'Calciobritholite'(Ca,Y)5(SiO4,PO4)3(OH)
9.AH.25'Britholite-(La)'Ca2(La,Ce,Ca)3(SiO4,PO4)3(OH,F)
9.AH.25Tritomite-(Ce)Ce5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,O)
9.AH.25Tritomite-(Y)Y5(SiO4,BO4)3(O,OH,F)
9.AH.25Fluorcalciobritholite(Ca,REE)5(SiO4,PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.25ChlorellestaditeCa5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.AH.35DargaiteBaCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O3Trig. 3m : R3m
9.AH.35NabimusaiteKCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O2FTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
9.AH.40StracheriteBaCa6(SiO4)2[(PO4)(CO3)]FTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
9.AH.40ZadoviteBaCa6[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4)2FTrig. 3m : R3m
9.AH.40GazeeviteBaCa6(SiO4)2(SO4)2OTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
9.AH.45FlamiteCa8-x(Na,K)x(SiO4)4-x(PO4)xOrth. mm2
9.AH.50ByzantieviteBa5(Ca,REE,Y)22(Ti,Nb)18(SiO4)4[(PO4),(SiO4)]4(BO3)9O22[(OH),F]43(H2O)1.5Trig. 3 : R3
9.AH.55Greenwoodite(Ba,V3+O)2V3+9(Fe3+,Fe2+)2Si2O22Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
9.AH.60Kihlmanite-(Ce)Ce2TiO2(SiO4)(HCO3)2(H2O)Tric. 1 : P1
9.AH.65TsangpoiteCa5(PO4)2(SiO4)Hex.

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:
Element % Content Activity (Bq/kg) Radiation Type
Uranium (U) 0.0000% 0 α, β, γ
Thorium (Th) 53.2076% 2,128,304 α, β, γ
Potassium (K) 0.0000% 0 β, γ

For comparison:

  • Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
  • Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
  • EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg

Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.

Interactive Simulator:

Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!

Activity: –

DistanceDose rateRisk
1 cm
10 cm
1 m

The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).

D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield

Other InformationHide

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 EnaliteHide

References for EnaliteHide

Localities for EnaliteHide

Showing 2 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.
Japan (FRL)
 
  • Gifu Prefecture
    • Nakatsugawa City
Kimura et al. (1932)
      • Hirukawa
Yamada (2004)
Quick NavTopUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Physical Properties Chemistry Crystallography First Recorded Occurrence Other LanguagesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
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