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Formula: Th(SiO4)
Nesosilicate (insular SiO4 groups), paramorph of
thorite,
monazite group. Huttonite forms solid solution series with
monazite and with cheralite
(Lauf p66).
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 7.1 measured, 7.18 calculated
Hardness: 5
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless to very pale cream, pale greenish
Common impurities: U,TR,Fe,Mn,Ca,F,OH
Environments
Plutonic igneous environments
Pegmatites
Sedimentary environments
Huttonite is rare compared to its paramorph,
thorite. Huttonite is the high temperature
paramorph, with the transition occurring at about 1225oC
(AM 49.782-785). It is rarely metamict,
although thorite usually is
(Lauf p66).
In the Santa Maria de Itabira district, Minas Gerais, Brazil, huttonite occurs in a
granite pegmatite
(Lauf p66).
At the type locality, Gillespie's Beach, Westland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand, huttonite occurs as grains less than
2mm across (AJM 19.2.31), associated with scheelite, titanium-rich
cassiterite, uranium-rich thorite,
ilmenite and gold
(HOM).
At Brevik, Norway, huttonite occurs in nepheline syenite
(Lauf p66).
At Bogatynia, Poland, huttonite occurs in a granite pegmatite
(Lauf p66) associated with cheralite and thorium-rich
ningyoite
(HOM).
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