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Gagarinite-(Ce)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gagarinite-(Ce)
Yurii Alexeevich Gagarin - the first man visited space.
Formula:
Na(REExCa1-x)(REEyCa1-y)F6
Colour:
Colourless to light pink
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
4.44
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Originally named zajacite-(Ce) for Dr. Ihor Stephan Zajac (1935- ), the geologist who lead the exploration group that discovered the Strange Lake deposit and who first recognized the mineral. Later renamed to gargarinite-(Ce), for the relationship to gagarinite-(Y) and cerium as the dominant rare-earth element. The root name is for Yuri Alexeevich Gagarin (9 March 1934, Klushino, Smolensk Oblast, Soviet Union - 27 March 1968, Novosyolovo, Soviet Union), cosmonaut and the first person in space.
Renamed in 2010 (IMA 10-C); the original name "zajacite-(Ce)" is discredited.
Ce-analogue of gagarinite-(Y).
Ce-analogue of gagarinite-(Y).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7383
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7383:3
Similar Names
| Gagarinite | ||
| Gagarinite-(Y) | A valid IMA mineral species | NaCaYF6 |
IMA Classification of Gagarinite-(Ce)
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
IMA Formula:
NaCaCe3+F6
Approval year:
1993
First published:
1996
Classification of Gagarinite-(Ce)
3.AB.35
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
11.5.6.2
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
5 : AmBX6
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
5 : AmBX6
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Gag-Ce | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Gagarinite-(Ce)
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Gagarinite-(Ce)
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to light pink
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
4.44(1) g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
Measured witha Berman balance
Optical Data of Gagarinite-(Ce)
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.483(1) nε = 1.503(1)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Gagarinite-(Ce)
Mindat Formula:
Na(REExCa1-x)(REEyCa1-y)F6
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Gagarinite-(Ce)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
P3
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.099(1) Å, c = 11.064(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.814
Unit Cell V:
356.42 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Labels
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018644 | Gagarinite-(Ce) | Sciberras M J, Leverett P, Williams P A, Hibbs D E, Roberts A C, Grice J D (2011) The single-crystal X-ray structure of gagarinite-(Ce) The Canadian Mineralogist 49 1111-1114 | 2011 | Strange Lake deposit, Quebec-Labrador, Canada | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.036 Å | (100) |
| 1.757 Å | (80) |
| 5.29 Å | (70) |
| 2.146 Å | (70) |
| 1.152 Å | (40) |
| 0.9189 Å | (40) |
| 2.351 Å | (30) |
| 1.361 Å | (30) |
| 1.047 Å | (30) |
| 0.9775 Å | (30) |
| 0.9635 Å | (30) |
| 1.273 Å | (25) |
| 0.9419 Å | (25) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Gagarinite-(Ce)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Anhedral grains, 1-2 mm across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) National Mineral Collection, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa (NMC 67314).
2) A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
2) A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hypersolvus granite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Gagarinite-(Ce)
Other Language Names for Gagarinite-(Ce)
Dutch:Gagariniet-(Ce)
German:Gagarinit-(Ce)
Zajacit-(Ce)
Zajacit-(Ce)
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.AB. | Manuelarossiite | PbCaAlF7 |
| 3.AB. | Fluorocronite | PbF2 |
| 3.AB.05 | Tolbachite | CuCl2 |
| 3.AB.10 | Coccinite | HgI2 |
| 3.AB.15 | Sellaite | MgF2 |
| 3.AB.20 | Lawrencite | (Fe2+,Ni)Cl2 |
| 3.AB.20 | Scacchite | MnCl2 |
| 3.AB.20 | Chloromagnesite | MgCl2 |
| 3.AB.25 | Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 3.AB.25 | Frankdicksonite | BaF2 |
| 3.AB.25 | Strontiofluorite | SrF2 |
| 3.AB.30 | Tveitite-(Y) | (Y, Na)6Ca6Ca6(Ca,Na)F42 |
| 3.AB.35 | Gagarinite-(Y) | NaCaYF6 |
| 3.AB.35 | Polezhaevaite-(Ce) | NaSrCeF6 |
| 3.AB.37 | Calcioaravaipaite | PbCa2AlF9 |
| 3.AB.85 | Cotunnite | PbCl2 |
Fluorescence of Gagarinite-(Ce)
Not fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in water, unreactive in cold, dilute HCl, and is slowly dissolved by hot HCl.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Gagarinite-(Ce)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7383.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Gagarinite-(Ce)
Reference List:
Jambor, J. L., Roberts, A. C., Owens, D. R., Grice, J. D. (1996) Zajacite-(Ce), a new rare-earth fluoride from the Strange Lake deposit, Quebec-Labrador. The Canadian Mineralogist, 34 (6) 1299-1304 (as zajacite-(Ce))
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2010) CNMNC Newsletter No 6, New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2010. Mineralogical Magazine, 74 (6) 941-942 doi:10.1180/minmag.2010.074.6.941
Sciberras, M. J., Leverett, P., Williams, P. A., Hibbs, D. E., Roberts, A. C., Grice, J. D. (2011) The single-crystal X-ray study of gagarinite-(Ce) The Canadian Mineralogist, 49 (4) 1111-1114 doi:10.3749/canmin.49.4.1111
Stachowicz, M., Jokubauskas, P., Bagiński, B., MacDonald, R., Harlov, D.E. (2022) A revised structure for the rare earth fluoride gagarinite-(Ce) from experimental synthesis by fluid-induced alteration of chevkinite-(Ce) Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations and Advances, 78 (a2) doi:10.1107/s2053273322092294
Bagiński, Bogusław, Jokubauskas, Petras, Matyszczak, Witold, Stachowicz, Marcin, Kotowski, Jakub, MacDonald, Ray, Harlov, Daniel E. (2023) Experimental Synthesis of the Rare-Earth Fluoride Gagarinite-(Ce) by Fluid-Induced Alteration of Chevkinite-(Ce) The Canadian Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology, 61 (3) 593-608 doi:10.3749/2200045
Localities for Gagarinite-(Ce)
Showing 1 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada (TL) | |
| Jambor et al. (1996) +2 other references |
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Strange Lake Alkalic Complex, Canada