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Formula: (Na,Ce,Sr)(Ce,Th)(Ti,Nb)2O6
Simple oxide, perovskite subgroup
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 4.60 to 4.89 measured, 4.85 calculated
Hardness: 5½
Streak: Cinnamon-brown to brown
Colour: Black to greyish black
Environments:
Igneous environments
Pegmatites
Carbonatites
Loparite-(Ce) occurs as a primary mineral in differentiated
nepheline syenite
massifs and alkalic pegmatites, and it replaces
perovskite in
carbonatites (Webmin, HOM).
Associated minerals include nepheline, microcline,
aegirine, rare-earth-bearing apatite,
arfvedsonite, perovskite,
ilmenite, eudialyte,
titanite and
lamprophyllite
(HOM).
Localities
At Lågendalen, Hedrum, Larvik, Vestfold og Telemark, Norway, loparite-(Ce) occurs sparsely in
syenite
pegmatites. It is an early crystallised mineral occurring
as dark brown interpenetration twins up to 10 mm across; loparite-(Ce) from this locality is metamict
(JWW p155).
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At the type locality, Maly Mannepakhk Mountain, Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia, loparite-(Ce) is
associated with
nepheline, microcline,
aegirine, apatite,
arfvedsonite, perovskite,
ilmenite, eudialyte,
titanite and
lamprophyllite
(Mindat).
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