Samarskite

Samarskite or properly samarskite-(Y) is a radioactive mineral with the empirical formula::Y_0.2REE_0.3Fe³⁺_0.3U_0.2Nb_0.8Ta_0.2O₄ [ [http://webmineral.com/data/Samarskite-(Y).shtml Webmineral data] ] Other formulas show Ce (cerium) rather than the generic REE (Rare earth element) and include essential titanium.
*(Y,Ce,U,Fe)₃(Nb,Ta,Ti)₅O₁₆cite web | title=THE MINERAL SAMARSKITE-(Y) | publisher = Amethyst Galleries, Inc. | date = 1997 | url = http://www.galleries.com/minerals/oxides/samarski/samarski.htm | accessdate = 2006-08-19 ] [ [http://www.uraniumminerals.com/UTh/Samarskite.htm Uranium minerals data] >]
*YFe³⁺Nb₂O₈ [ [http://www.mindat.org/min-3512.html Mindat] ]
*(Y,Fe³⁺,U)(Nb,Ta)O₄ [ [http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/samarskitey.pdf Mineral Data Publishing] ]

Samarskite crystallizes in the orthorhombic - dipyramidal class as black to yellowish brown stubby prisms although it is typically found as anhedral masses. It has a Mohs hardness of 5 to 6 and a widely variable specific gravity of 4.3 - 5.87. Specimens with a high uranium content are typically metamict and appear coated with a yellow brown earthy rind. Samarskite occurs in granite pegmatites with other rare minerals.

Samarskite was first described in 1847 for an occurrence in Miass, Ilmen Mountains, Southern Ural Mountains of Russia. The chemical element samarium was first isolated from a specimen of samarskite in 1879. Samarium was named after samarskite which was named for the Russian mine official, Colonel Vasili Samarsky-Bykhovets (1803-1870).

ee also

*List of minerals
*List of minerals named after people

References