Aeschynite-(Nd)
Aeschynite-(Nd) is a rare earth mineral of neodymium, cerium, calcium, thorium, titanium, niobium, oxygen, and hydrogen with the chemical formula (Nd,Ce,Ca,Th)(Ti,Nb)2(O,OH)6. Its name comes from the Greek word for "shame". Its Mohs scale rating is 5 to 6. It is a member of the hydroxide minerals. It was first reported for an occurrence in Bayan Obo, Inner Mongolia in 1982. In that rare earth mining deposit it occurs in veins within metamorphosed dolomite and slate. It occurs associated with aegirine, riebeckite, barite, fluorite, albite, phlogopite and magnetite. The IMA symbol is Aes-Nd.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Aeschynite-(Nd) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula (Nd,Ln,Ca)(Ti,Nb)₂(O,OH)₆.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pbmn). It is a member of the Aeschynite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5–6; specific gravity 4.6–5.04; Pale yellowish brown streak; Adamantine luster; optically isotropic.
IMA symbol Aes-Nd, IMA status: approved, named in 1982.
Found in veins in slate and metamorphosed dolostone.
It is found associated with Aegirine, riebeckite, barite, fluorite, albite, phlogopite, magnetite.
The name refers to similarity to aeschynite-(Ce), with neodymium as the dominant rare-earth element.