Simpsonite

Overview

Al4(Ta,Nb)3O13(OH)
Fluorescence: blue under SW and LW	Not Radioactive	Magnetic: no

Description

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	6.7 g/cc
Hardness - Mohs	Simpsonite - 7.0-7.5  10 Diamond 9 Carborundum 8 Topaz 7 Quartz 6 Orthoclase 5 Apatite 4 Fluorite 3 Calcite 2 Gypsum 1 Talc
Color	colorless, white, light brown, light yellow, brownish yellow
Streak	white

Crystal Properties

Property	Value
Crystal structure	trigonal - pyramidal
Cleavage	none
Tenacity	brittle
Fracture	conchoidal
Luster	vitreous, adamantine

Similar Minerals

Dana Number : 08.07.05.01

Class: 08

Group: 08.07

Subgroup: 08.07.05 - simpsonite

Dana Number	Mineral Name	Formula
08.07.05.01	simpsonite	Al4(Ta,Nb)3O13(OH)

Nickel-Strunz Number : 04.DC.10

Group : 04

Subgroup : DC

Nickel-Strunz Number	Mineral Name	Formula
04.DC.10	simpsonite	Al4(Ta,Nb)3O13(OH)

Specimens

Localities

Uses