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Formula: NaKBaTi2(Si4O12)O2
Valence: NaKBaTi4+2(Si4O12)O2
Inosilicate (chain silicate), single chains, batisite group,
barium- and titanium- bearing mineral
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 3.39 measured, 3.49 calculated
Hardness: 6
Colour: Pinkish orange, brownish yellow, brown
Luminescence: Does not fluoresce under UV
Environments
Localities
There are two co-type localities, Löhley, Üdersdorf, Daun, Vulkaneifel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, and
Tausonitovaya Gorka, Ditmar stream, Murunskii Massif, Chara and Tokko Rivers Confluence, Aldan Shield, Russia
Noonkanbahite was discovered in Löhley, Germany (holotype) and Murun, Russia (cotype). At Löhley it occurs as
straw-yellow sprays (pinkish orange as crystals) up to 8 mm in size, single prismatic crystals up to 4 mm in size and
as larger anhedral grains on the walls of several cavities in igneous alkaline rocks.
Noonkanbahite is fairly abundant in the Murun kalsilite
syenite (up to 20–25% of the rock). There it occurs as mostly isolated
brownish yellow to brown curved crystals reaching 0.05 × 0.7 × 1.5 cm3 in size. Rarely, they will form
clusters up to 2 cm across.
The mineral is named after the first locality where it was found, the Noonkanbah sheep station, Wolgidee Hills, West
Kimberley District, Australia. It was found in 1965 but never approved as a new species until the new material from
Liley, Germany, and Murun, Russia, was discovered in 2009
(AM 96.10.1654-1661).
Associated minerals include analcime,
cristobalite, hematite,
magnetite, perovskite,
phlogopite, richterite and
sanidine
(Mindat).
Noonkanbahite from Löhley - Image
Noonkanbahite from Tausonitovaya Gorka -
Image
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