Synchysite-(Y)

synchysite-(Y)

elpidite

polylithionite

catapleiite

Images

Formula CaY(CO3)2F
Anhydrous carbonate, synchysite group, yttrium-bearing mineral
Specific gravity: 3.89 to 4.1
Hardness: 6 to 6½
Streak: Light brown
Colour: White, reddish brown, greyish yellow, dull yellow; colourless to light yellow in transmitted light
Solubility: Readily soluble in acids
Environments:

Pegmatites
Carbonatites
Hydrothermal environments

Synchysite-(Y) occurs in pegmatites, in carbonatites and in alpine fissure-type veins, where it is typically accompanied by other rare-earth minerals and quartz, albite, the TiO2 paramorphs (rutile, anatase and brookite) and chlorite (HOM, MW).

Localities

At Beddgelert Forest, Beddgelert, Gwynedd, Wales, UK, synchysite-(Y) has been found in altered rhyolite as radiating sheaves intergrown with quartz and K-feldspar (MW).

At Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, USA, synchysite-(Y) is associated with kainosite-(Y), bastnäsite, xenotime, hematite and quartz (HOM).

At its type locality, the Scrub Oaks Mine, Mine Hill Borough, Morris county, New Jersey, USA, synchysite-(Y) occurs in aggregates mixed with xenotime, hematite and quartz. Most of the aggregates have rims of bastnäsite (AM 45.92-98).
(Dana).
Synchysite-(Y) - Image

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