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Formula: NaNbO3
Simple oxide, monoclinic paramorph of isometric
isolueshite, orthorhombic
lueshite
and trigonal pauloabibite,
niobium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 4.40 measured
Hardness: 5½ to 6
Streak: Grey
Colour: Variable. Light grey-black, also light brown to pale yellow
Environments
Natroniobite occurs replacing perovskite and
pyrochlore in dolomite
carbonatites. Associated minerals include
dolomite, apatite,
phlogopite, perovskite
and pyrochlore
(HOM).
Localities
There are two co-type localities, the Lesnaya Varaka Massif, and the Sallanlatvi Massif, Northern Karelia,
both in Murmansk Oblast, Russia. Here natroniobite occurs in
dolomite
carbonatites containing
apatite, phlogopite,
dysanalyte and
pyrochlore. It forms pseudomorphs after
dysanalyte and pyrochlore
and is replaced by later pyrochlore
(AM.1483).
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