Fergusonite is a mineral comprising a complex oxide of various rare-earth elements. It is a dark mineral consisting of oxides of yttrium and erbium and tantalum and other minerals. The chemical formula of fergusonite species is (Y, REE)NbO4, where REE = rare-earth elements in solid solution with Y. Yttrium is usually dominant (the species fergusonite-(Y)), but sometimes Ce or Nd may predominate in molar proportion.
Fergusonite-beta-(Y) was named after the allusion to its dimorphous relation to fergusonite-(Y).
Fergusonite-beta-(Nd) was named after the allusion to its dimorphous relationship to fergusonite-(Nd).
It is found as needle-like or prismatic crystals in pegmatite. It was named after British politician and mineral collector Robert Ferguson of Raith (1767–1840).
General Information
- Category: Oxide minerals
- Formula: REENbO4 (REE: rare-earth element)
- Crystal system: Tetragonal
- Crystal class: Dipyramidal (4/m)
Fig: Fergusonite-beta-(Y)
Properties
All the other rare-earth elements are present in a subordinate amount, and tantalum substitutes for some of the niobium. There are Fergusonite-beta-(Nd), Fergusonite-beta-(Y), Fergusonite-beta-(Ce) too. The mineral has tetragonal crystal symmetry and the same structure as scheelite (calcium tungstate, CaWO4), but can be metamict (amorphous) due to radiation damage from its small content of thorium.
- Formula mass: 245.81 g/mol (Y)
- Color: Black, black, brown, gray, yellow
- Crystal habit: Metamict – mineral originally crystalline, now amorphous due to radiation damage
- Cleavage: Indistinct
- Fracture: Subconchoidal – fractures developed in brittle materials characterized by semi-curving surfaces
- Mohs scale hardness: 5.5–6
- Luster: Submetallic
- Streak: Brown
- Density: 4.3–5.8, average = 5.05
Occurrence of Fergusonite-Beta-(Nd) and Fergusonite-Beta-(Y)
Fergusonite-beta-(Nd) occurs in sodium-metasomatized carbonatite-derived dolomitic marble. It is often associated with minerals such as riebeckite, ferroan dolomite, biotite, magnetite, pyrite, monazite, bastnasite, aeschynite-(Nd), ilmenite, fergusonite-(Ce), and fergusonite-(Nd).
Fergusonite-beta-(Y) occurs in microcline-bearing granite stocks. This mineral is often associated with minerals such microcline and quartz.
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