Betafite Group
A group of related mineral species
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About Betafite Group
Formula:
A2(Ti,Nb)2O6Z
A is primarily Ca or U4+ but can also be Na, Sn2+, Sr, Pb2+, Sb3+, Y, H2O or ◻.
Z is primarily O, but can also be OH, F, H2O or ◻
Z is primarily O, but can also be OH, F, H2O or ◻
Member of:
Name:
Betafite as a species was named in 1912 by Antoine François Alfred Lacroix for the "type" locality. Betafite was redefined in 1961, by Donald D. Hogarth and, betafite remained a species, but frequently with "anomalous" chemistry. Lumpkin and Ewing (1996) studied nine specimens historically labeled "betafite" and discovered that replacement and alteration were present in their samples. Titanium-rich minerals intergrown with pyrochlore supergroup crystals gave a false impression of the bulk chemistry of specimens. Atencio, et al. (2010) reported on the IMA-approved supergroup nomenclature and Christy and Atencio (2013) added corrections to the IMA report.
The result of modern pinpoint analyses is that almost all specimens formerly labeled betafite are no longer members of that group/series. New analyses, including determination of H2O, OH, and F are necessary to identify the species of a particular sample. The root-name, betafite, was retained for historical reasons.
The result of modern pinpoint analyses is that almost all specimens formerly labeled betafite are no longer members of that group/series. New analyses, including determination of H2O, OH, and F are necessary to identify the species of a particular sample. The root-name, betafite, was retained for historical reasons.
Ti-dominant members of the Pyrochlore Supergroup.
The nomenclature was recently revised by Atencio et al. (2010); see also Christy & Atencio (2013). The reason "betafite group" species are so scarce when they previously seemed to be widespread is that many erstwhile "betafite group" specimens, particularly large crystals from Madagascar, were partially intergrown with rutile and several rare titanium-rich species. Chemical analyses of bulk specimens showed an erroneously high titanium content due to inclusions.
The nomenclature was recently revised by Atencio et al. (2010); see also Christy & Atencio (2013). The reason "betafite group" species are so scarce when they previously seemed to be widespread is that many erstwhile "betafite group" specimens, particularly large crystals from Madagascar, were partially intergrown with rutile and several rare titanium-rich species. Chemical analyses of bulk specimens showed an erroneously high titanium content due to inclusions.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
29178
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:29178:7
Chemistry of Betafite Group
Mindat Formula:
A2(Ti,Nb)2O6Z
A is primarily Ca or U4+ but can also be Na, Sn2+, Sr, Pb2+, Sb3+, Y, H2O or ◻.
Z is primarily O, but can also be OH, F, H2O or ◻
A is primarily Ca or U4+ but can also be Na, Sn2+, Sr, Pb2+, Sb3+, Y, H2O or ◻.
Z is primarily O, but can also be OH, F, H2O or ◻
Varieties of Betafite Group
| Barian Betafite (of Mironov & Gofman) | Variety of "betafite" with content of BaO 21 wt.% and more. According to Hogarth's nomenclature the mineral should be named Barian Uranbetafite. According to the later nomenclature of 2010 it belongs to "zero-valent dominant" members of Betafite group (Ti... |
Relationship of Betafite Group to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Pyrochlore Supergroup:
| Coulsellite Group | A2-mMg2F6-wF1-n | |
| Elsmoreite Group | W-dominant members of the Pyrochlore Supergroup. | |
| Microlite Group | A2-mTa2X6-wZ1-n | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m |
| Pyrochlore Group | A2Nb2(O,OH)6Z | |
| Ralstonite Group | Group, where M3+ cations are dominant at the B site, and Al is dominant among them, and F1– is ... | |
| Roméite Group | A2(Sb5+)2O6Z |
Betafite Group Members:
| 'Oxycalciobetafite' | Ca2(Ti,Nb)2O6O | |
| 'Oxyuranobetafite' | (U,Ca,◻)2(Ti,Nb)2O6O | |
| Oxyyttrobetafite-(Y) | Y2Ti2O6O | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Betafite Group in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Betafite Group
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-29178.html
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References for Betafite Group
Reference List:
Lumpkin, Gregory R., Ewing, Rodney C. (1996) Geochemical alteration of pyrochlore group minerals; betafite subgroup. American Mineralogist, 81 (9) 1237-1248 doi:10.2138/am-1996-9-1022
Atencio, D., Andrade, M. B., Christy, A. G., Giere, R., Kartashov, P. M. (2010) The pyrochlore supergroup of minerals: nomenclature. The Canadian Mineralogist, 48 (3) 673-698 doi:10.3749/canmin.48.3.673
Localities for Betafite Group
Showing 35 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Sutherland |
Austria | |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] Gasteiger et al. (2013) |
Canada | |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] Hogarth (1961) |
| Jeffrey de Fourestier collection |
China | |
| - (1978) +3 other references |
| Zhang et al. (Eds.) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| [Oxyuranobetafite] Chládek (2011) |
| Černý P. |
Germany | |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] Blaß et al. (2015) |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] www.mg-mineralien-fossilien.eu (2020) |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] www.mindat.org (2019) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] Cámara et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] Yukikazu Ogoshi (2011) |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] Uehara et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
| [Oxyyttrobetafite-(Y)] Miyawaki et al. (2022) +1 other reference |
Malawi | |
| Cooper et al. (1961) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| PIECZKA et al. 2010: Nb-Ta minerals in ... |
| Pieczka et al. (2012) | |
| [Oxyuranobetafite] Matyszczak (2018) |
| Pieczka et al. (2018) |
Romania | |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] HÎRTOPANU et al. (2014) |
Russia | |
| [var: Barian Betafite (of Mironov & Gofman)] Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] Ivanyuk et al. (2018) |
Slovakia | |
| Uher P. et al. (2010) |
Sweden | |
| Jonsson |
Switzerland | |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] Brugger et al. (1999) |
USA | |
| HANSON et al. (2007) |
| Mark Coolbaugh |
| Buchholz et al. (2013) |
The Moon | |
| [Oxycalciobetafite] Meyer et al. (1988) |
| [Oxyuranobetafite] Mokhov et al. (2008) |
Luna 24 landing site, Mare Crisium, The Moon