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Microlite

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Ipê Mine, Governador Valadares, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
© 2003 ROM

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Formula:
(Ca,Na)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH,F)
System:IsometricColour:Pale yellow to reddish ...
Lustre:Vitreous, ResinousHardness:5 - 5½
Name:From the Greek μικρός, small, in allusion to the usual small size of the crystals from the type locality.


Pyrochlore Group. Microlite Subgroup. Microlite-Pyrochlore Series. The tantalum analogue of Pyrochlore and the calcium analogue of the other members of the Microlite Subgroup.

Classification of Microlite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/C.18-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.DH.15

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
H : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:8.2.2.1

8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
2 : A2B2O6(O,OH,F)
Hey's CIM Ref.:18.1.11

18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
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Type Occurrence of Microlite

Type Locality:Clark Ledges pegmatite locality, Chesterfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, USA
Year of Discovery:1835

Occurrences of Microlite

Geological Setting:Albitized parts of granite pegmatites.

Physical Properties of Microlite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Pale yellow to reddish brown, sometimes emerald-green
Streak:Light yellow, brownish
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
Octahedral{111} (may be a parting), sometmes distinct, but usually not distinguishable.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Splintery, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):5.9 - 6.4 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.33 g/cm3
Comment:Calc for Ca:Na = 1:1

Crystallography of Microlite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:Fd3m (F41/d 3 2/m)
Cell Parameters:a = 10.41(5) Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,128.11 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Morphology:Octahedral, often with subordinate {001}, {113} or {001}.
Twinning:Twin plane {111} (spinel law twins), rare.
Crystal Atlas:
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Microlite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Microlite no.4 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Microlite

Type:Isotropic
RI values: n = 1.93 - 2.02
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:Very High
Type:Isotropic

Chemical Properties of Microlite

Formula:
(Ca,Na)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH,F)
Essential elements:Ca, O, Ta
All elements listed in formula:Ca, F, H, Na, O, Ta
Common Impurities:Fe,Mg,Mn,U,Zr,Th,Ti,Sn,Pb

Relationship of Microlite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Pyrochlore (see here)
Related to:
  • Microlite Subgroup
  • Pyrochlore Group
    • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
    4.DH.05Brannerite
    (U
    4+
     
    		,Ca)(Ti,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    4.DH.05Orthobrannerite
    UTi
     
    4
    		O
     
    12
    		(OH)
     
    2
    4.DH.05Thorutite
    (Th,U,Ca)Ti
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    6
    4.DH.10Kassite
    CaTi
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    		(OH)
     
    2
    4.DH.10Lucasite-(Ce)
    CeTi
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    6
    4.DH.15Alumotungstite
    (W,Al)(O,OH)
     
    3
    4.DH.15Bariomicrolite
    Ba(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    4.DH.15Bariopyrochlore
    (Ba,Sr)
     
    2
    		(Nb,Ti)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    4.DH.15Betafite
    (Ca,U)
     
    2
    		(Ti,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH)
    4.DH.15Bismutomicrolite
    (Bi,Ca)(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH)
    4.DH.15Calciobetafite
    (Ca,RE,Th,U)
     
    2
    		(Nb,Ta,Ti)
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    4.DH.15Ceriopyrochlore-(Ce)
    (Ce,Ca,Y)
     
    2
    		(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH,F)
    4.DH.15Cesstibtantite
    (Cs,Na)SbTa
     
    4
    		O
     
    12
    4.DH.15Ferritungstite
    (W,Fe
    3+
     
    		)(O,OH)
     
    3
    4.DH.15Jixianite
    Pb(W,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    4.DH.15Kalipyrochlore
    (K,Sr)
     
    2-x
    		Nb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(O,OH)·nH
     
    2
    		O
    4.DH.15Natrobistantite
    (Na,Cs)Bi(Ta,Nb,Sb)
     
    4
    		O
     
    12
    4.DH.15Plumbopyrochlore
    (Pb,Y,U,Ca)
     
    2-x
    		Nb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH)
    4.DH.15Plumbomicrolite
    (Pb,Ca,U)
     
    2
    		Ta
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH)
    4.DH.15Plumbobetafite
    (Pb,U,Ca)(Ti,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH,F)
    4.DH.15Pyrochlore
    (Ca,Na)
     
    2
    		Nb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH,F)
    4.DH.15Stibiomicrolite
    (Sb,Ca,Na)
     
    2
    		(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    4.DH.15Strontiopyrochlore
    (Sr,Ce,Ca)
     
    0.66
    		(Nb,Fe)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    4.DH.15Stannomicrolite
    (Sn,Fe,Mn)
     
    2
    		(Ta,Nb,Sn)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    4.DH.15Stibiobetafite
    (Sb,Ca)
     
    2
    		(Ti,Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    4.DH.15Uranmicrolite
    (U,Ca,Ce)
     
    2
    		(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH,F)
    4.DH.15Uranpyrochlore
    (U,Ca,Ce)
     
    2
    		(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH,F)
    4.DH.15Yttrobetafite-(Y)
    (Y,U,Ce)
     
    2
    		(Ti,Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		OH
    4.DH.15Yttropyrochlore-(Y)
    (Y,Na,Ca,U)
     
    1-2
    		(Nb,Ta,Ti)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    4.DH.15Fluornatromicrolite
    (Na,Ca,Bi)
     
    2
    		Ta
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		F
    4.DH.15Bismutopyrochlore
    (Bi,U,Ca,Pb)
     
    1+x
    		(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH)·nH
     
    2
    		O
    4.DH.15Thorian Pyrochlore
    4.DH.15Elsmoreite
    WO
     
    3
    		·0.5H
     
    2
    		O
    4.DH.20Bismutostibiconite
    Bi(Sb
    5+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    4.DH.20Bindheimite
    Pb
     
    2
    		Sb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(O,OH)
    4.DH.20Monimolite
    (Pb,Ca,Fe)
     
    3
    		Sb
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    4.DH.20Partzite
    Cu
     
    2
    		Sb
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    4.DH.20Roméite
    (Ca,Fe,Mn,Na)
     
    2
    		(Sb,Ti)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(O,OH,F)
    4.DH.20Stetefeldtite
    Ag
     
    2
    		Sb
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    4.DH.20Stibiconite
    SbSb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH)
    4.DH.25Rosiaite
    PbSb
    5+
    2
    		O
     
    6
    4.DH.30Zirconolite
    CaZrTi
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    4.DH.35Liandratite
    U(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    8
    4.DH.35Petscheckite
    UFe(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    8
    4.DH.40Ingersonite
    Ca
     
    3
    		MnSb
     
    4
    		O
     
    14
    4.DH.45Pittongite
    Na
     
    0.22
    		(W,Fe
    3+
     
    		)(O,OH)
     
    3
    		 · 0.44H
     
    2
    		O
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
    18.1.1Lithiotantite
    Li(Ta,Nb)
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    18.1.2Lueshite
    NaNbO
     
    3
    18.1.3Natroniobite
    NaNbO
     
    3
    18.1.4Franconite
    Na
     
    2
    		Nb
     
    4
    		O
     
    11
    		·9H
     
    2
    		O
    18.1.5Natrotantite
    Na
     
    2
    		Ta
     
    4
    		O
     
    11
    18.1.6Irtyshite
    Na
     
    2
    		(Ta,Nb)
     
    4
    		O
     
    11
    18.1.7Rankamaite
    (Na,K,Pb,Li)
     
    3
    		(Ta,Nb,Al)
     
    11
    		(O,OH)
     
    30
    18.1.8Kalipyrochlore
    (K,Sr)
     
    2-x
    		Nb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(O,OH)·nH
     
    2
    		O
    18.1.9Calciotantite
    CaTa
     
    4
    		O
     
    11
    18.1.10Rynersonite
    Ca(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.12Belyankinite
    Ca
     
    1-2
    		(Ti,Zr,Nb)
     
    5
    		O
     
    12
    		 · 9H
     
    2
    		O (?)
    18.1.13Latrappite
    (Ca,Na)(Nb,Ti,Fe)O
     
    3
    18.1.14Hochelagaite
    (Ca,Na,Sr)(Nb,Ti,Si,Al)
     
    4
    		O
     
    11
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    18.1.15Bariomicrolite
    Ba(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    18.1.16Parabariomicrolite
    BaTa
     
    4
    		O
     
    10
    		(OH)
     
    2
    		·2H
     
    2
    		O
    18.1.17Bariopyrochlore
    (Ba,Sr)
     
    2
    		(Nb,Ti)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    18.1.18Alumotantite
    AlTaO
     
    4
    18.1.19Simpsonite
    Al
     
    4
    		(Ta,Nb)
     
    3
    		O
     
    13
    		(OH,F)
    18.1.20Sosedkoite
    (K,Na)
     
    5
    		Al
     
    2
    		(Ta,Nb)
     
    22
    		O
     
    60
    18.1.21Thoreaulite
    SnTa
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.22Stannomicrolite
    (Sn,Fe,Mn)
     
    2
    		(Ta,Nb,Sn)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    18.1.23Foordite
    (Sn,Pb)(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.24Changbaiite
    PbNb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.25Plumbopyrochlore
    (Pb,Y,U,Ca)
     
    2-x
    		Nb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH)
    18.1.26Plumbomicrolite
    (Pb,Ca,U)
     
    2
    		Ta
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH)
    18.1.27Stibiocolumbite
    Sb(Nb,Ta)O
     
    4
    18.1.28Stibiotantalite
    Sb(Ta,Nb)O
     
    4
    18.1.29Natrobistantite
    (Na,Cs)Bi(Ta,Nb,Sb)
     
    4
    		O
     
    12
    18.1.30Cesplumtantite
    (Cs,Na)
     
    2
    		(Pb,Sb
    3+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		Ta
     
    8
    		O
     
    24
    18.1.31Stibiomicrolite
    (Sb,Ca,Na)
     
    2
    		(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    18.1.32Cesstibtantite
    (Cs,Na)SbTa
     
    4
    		O
     
    12
    18.1.33 Stibobetafite
    (Ca,Sb)
     
    2
    		(Ti,Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    7
    18.1.34Bismutotantalite
    Bi(Ta,Nb)O
     
    4
    18.1.35Bismutomicrolite
    (Bi,Ca)(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    		(OH)
    18.1.36Tantalite-(Mn)
    MnTa
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.37Gerasimovskite
    (Mn,Ca)(Nb,Ti)
     
    5
    		O
     
    12
    		·9H
     
    2
    		O
    18.1.38Tapiolite-(Mn)
    (Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.39Columbite-(Mn)
    (Mn,Fe)(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.40Wodginite
    Mn(Sn,Ta)Ta
     
    2
    		O
     
    8
    18.1.41Ixiolite
    (Ta,Nb,Sn,Fe,Mn)
     
    4
    		O
     
    8
    18.1.42Columbite-(Fe)
    FeNb
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.43Tantalite-(Fe)
    FeTa
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.44Columbite
    (Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.45Tantalite
    (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.46Tapiolite
    (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.47Tapiolite-(Fe)
    (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.48Columbite-(Mg)
    (Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)
     
    2
    		O
     
    6
    18.1.50Strüverite
    (Ti,Ta,Fe)O
     
    2
    18.1.51 Staringite
    (Fe,Mn)
     
    x
    		(Ta,Nb)
     
    2x
    		Sn
     
    6-3x
    		O
     
    12

    Other Names for Microlite

    Synonyms:
    HaddamiteMetasimpsoniteNeotantaliteNiobtantalpyrochlorTantalpyrochlor
    German names:
    MicrolitMikrolith
    Russian names:
    Микролит
    Spanish names:
    Microlita
    Varieties:
    Scandium microlite

    Other Information

    Health Warning:May be radioactive

    References for Microlite

    Reference List:Shepard (1835), American Journal of Science: 27: 361.

    Shepard (1837), American Journal of Science: 32: 338.

    Hayes (1842), American Journal of Science: 43: 33.

    Shepard (1842), American Journal of Science: 43: 116.

    Hayes (1844), American Journal of Science: 46: 158.

    Shepard (1870), American Journal of Science: 50: 93 (as Haddamite).

    Nordenskiöld (1872), Geol. För. Förh.: 3: 282.

    Nordenskiöld (1894), Geol. För. Förh.: 16: 336.

    Machatschki (1932), Chem. Erde: 7: 56.

    Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 748-756.

    American Mineralogist (1977): 62: 403-410.

    Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (1997) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume III. Halides, Hydroxides, Oxides. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 628pp.: 372.

    Internet Links for Microlite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Microlite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Microlite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Microlite

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