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Enalite

Formula:
(Th, REE, Al) [(PO
 
4
),(SiO
 
4
),(OH)]
System:TetragonalColour:orange-yellow
Name:Named for the discovery locality at Fukuoka, Fukuoka-cho, Ena-gun, Gifu Prefecture, Chubu Region, Honshu Island, Japan.


Many references call enalite a uranium-rich variety of thorite, but this is not possible, considering that phosphate dominates over silicate. It could be considered either a Th-Si-rich xenotime, or an independent member of the xenotime-thorite group, or perhaps a crystal composed of fine zoning with two different species.

Originally reported from Fukuoka, Fukuoka-cho, Ena-gun, Gifu Prefecture, Chubu Region, Honshu Island, Japan.

Classification of Enalite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered" 1932
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/A.14-

7 : Phosphates, Arsenates, Vanadates
A : Waterfree phosphates [PO4]3- without unfamiliar anions, cations of small size: Li, Be, Al
14 : Xenotime-(Y) - Wakefieldite-(Ce) series
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Type Occurrence of Enalite

Type Locality:Fukuoka, Fukuoka-cho, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, Chubu Region, Honshu Island, Japan
General Appearance of Type Material:Waterworn tetragonal crystals.
Year of Discovery:1932
Geological Setting of type material:Alluvium derived from granite pegmatites.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
QuartzMonaziteCassiterite

Physical Properties of Enalite

Lustre:Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:orange-yellow
Density (measured):4.721 g/cm3

Crystallography of Enalite

Crystal System:Tetragonal

Chemical Properties of Enalite

Formula:
(Th, REE, Al) [(PO
 
4
),(SiO
 
4
),(OH)]
All elements listed in formula:Al, H, O, P, Si, Th
Analyical Data:REE elements not separated, so calculated apfu is approximate. Ignition loss assumed to be mostly (OH).
MgO (0.00)
CaO (0.73)
MnO (0.00)
PbO (0.95)
Al2O3 (3.01)
Fe2O3 (0.88)
Ce2O3 (11.59)
Nd2O3 etc. (12.57)
ThO2 (28.96)
UO2 (10.63)
SnO2 (4.81)
TiO2 (1.37)
SiO2 (5.82)
P2O5 (12.52)
Ig. loss (5.59)
Empirical Formula:
(Th
 
.25
, REE
 
.34
, Al
 
.14
, U
 
.09
, Sn
 
.07
, Ti
 
.04
, Ca
 
.03
, Fe'''
 
.03
, Pb
 
.01
)[(PO
 
4
)
 
.41
,(SiO
 
4
)
 
.23
(OH)
 
1
·44]

Relationship of Enalite to other Species

Related Minerals - Strunz Grouping):

- +
7/A.14-05Pretulite
ScPO
 
4
7/A.14-08Xenotime-(Yb)
(Yb,Y,HREE)PO
 
4
7/A.14-10Xenotime-(Y)
YPO
 
4
7/A.14-20Chernovite-(Y)
YAsO
 
4
7/A.14-25Chernovite-(Ce)
(Ce,Y)(AsO
 
4
)
7/A.14-30Wakefieldite-(Y)
YVO
 
4
7/A.14-40Wakefieldite-(Ce)
(Ce,Pb)VO
 
4

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Enalite

Reference List:Kimura, K., and Miyake, Y. (1932): Chemical investigation of the Oriental ores containing rare elements (Part 9). On enalite, a new variety of uranothorite, found in Naegi, Gifu Prefecture. Nihon Kagakukaisha (Journ. Chem. Soc. Japan) 53, 93-100.

Articles/Blogs about Enalite

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    Localities for Enalite

    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Gifu Prefecture
          • Nakatsugawa City
            • Fukuoka-cho
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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