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Formula: PbZrSi3O9.2H2O
Inosilicate (chain silicate), gaidonnayite group,
zirconium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 3.264 calculated
Hardness: 5
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless or light brown
Environments
Plutonic igneous environments
Metamorphic environments
Plumbogaidonnayite is a new mineral, approved in 2022 and to date (May 2024) reported only from the type locality.
Localities
At the type locality, the Saima complex, Kuandian County, Dandong, Liaoning, China, plumbogaidonnayite was
discovered as a secondary product derived from the alteration of
eudialyte. It occurs as aggregates (up to 1 mm in size) composed of subhedral
to anhedral or platy crystals (individually 5 to 50 μm), associated closely with
microcline, natrolite,
aegirine, gaidonnayite,
georgechaoite, zircon,
bobtraillite and
britholite-(Ce) in eudialyte
pseudomorphs. The crystals are transparent, colourless or light brown with
a vitreous lustre
(MM 88.2.185-194).
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