| Betafite | |
|---|---|
Betafite hexakis octahedron, Locality: Bancroft, Ontario, Canada |
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| General | |
| Category | Oxide minerals |
| Chemical formula | (Ca,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O6(OH) |
| Strunz classification | 04.DH.15 |
Betafite is a mineral in the pyrochlore group, with the chemical formula (Ca,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O6(OH). Betafite typically occurs as a primary mineral in granite pegmatites, rarely in carbonatites. Betafite was discovered in 1912 at Betafo, Madagascar.
Betafite crystallizes as Isometric - Hexoctahedral crystals and occurs typically as anhedral grains with color varying from red, greenish brown, dark brown to black. Its luster is vitreous to greasy. Betafite is a radioactive mineral.
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