Microlite

microlite

lithium

lepidolite

albite

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The microlite group is a group of minerals comprising
Fluorcalciomicrolite (Ca,Na,☐)₂Ta₂O₆F
Fluornatromicrolite (Na_1.5Bi_0.5)Ta₂O₆F
Hydrokenomicrolite (☐,H₂O)₂Ta₂(O,OH)₆(H₂O)
Hydroxylcalciomicrolite Ca_1.5Ta₂O₆(OH)
Hydroxykenomicrolite (☐,Na,Sb³⁺)₂Ta₂O₆(OH)
Kenoplumbomicrolite (Pb,☐)₂Ta₂O₆[☐,(OH),O]
Oxybismutomicrolite (Bi_1.33☐_0.67)_Σ2Ta₂O₆O
Oxycalciomicrolite Ca₂Ta₂O₇
Oxynatromicrolite (Na,Ca,U)₂(Ta,Nb)₂O₆(O,F)
Oxystannomicrolite Sn₂Ta₂O₆O
Oxystibiomicrolite (Sb³⁺,Ca)₂Ta₂O₆O

These minerals are multiple oxides containing niobium, tantalum or titanium
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 5.9 to 6.4 measured, 6.33 calculated
Hardness: 5 to 5½
Streak: light yellowish, brownish
Colour: pale yellow to reddish brown, sometimes emerald green
Solubility: Insoluble in water, hydrochloric and nitric acid; soluble with decomposition in sulphuric acid
Environments:

Pegmatites

Microlite is found in granitic pegmatites, especially those rich in lepidolite or other lithium-bearing minerals, and in albite.

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