Zirsilite-(Ce) is a very rare mineral of the

eudialyte group Eudialyte group is a group of complex trigonal zircono- and, more rarely, titanosilicate minerals with general formula (1)N(2)N(3)N(4)N(5)sub>3 (1a)M(1b)sub>3M(2)3M(4)Z3 i24O72'4X2, where N(1) and N(2) and N(3) and N(5) = Na+ and more rarely H3 ...

, with formula .Mindat, Zirsilite-(Ce), http://www.mindat.org/min-25674.htmlKhomyakov, A.P., Dusmatov, V.D., Ferraris, G., Gula, A., Ivaldi, G., and Nechelyustov, G.N., 2003: Zirsilite-(Ce), , and carbokentbrooksite – two new eudialyte-group minerals from the Dara-i-Pioz alkaline massif, Tajikistan. Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva 132(5), 40–51 (in Russian, with English abstract); in: Jambor, J.I, and Roberts, A.C., 2004: New mineral names. American Mineralogist 89(11–12), 1826–1834 The original formula was extended to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups and the presence of silicon at the M4 site, according to the nomenclature of the eudialyte group.Johnsen, O., Ferraris, G., Gault, R.A., Grice, D.G., Kampf, A.R., and Pekov, I.V., 2003. The nomenclature of eudialyte-group minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist 41, 785–794 Zirsilite-(Ce) differs from carbokentbrooksite in cerium-dominance over sodium only. Both minerals are intimately associated. The only other currently known representative of the

having rare earth elements (in particular cerium, as suggested by the "-Ce)" Levinson suffix in the name) in dominance is

johnsenite-(Ce) Johnsenite-(Ce) is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group,Mindat, Johnsenite-(Ce), http://www.mindat.org/min-27479.html with the chemical formula .Grice, J.D., and Gault, R.A., 2006. Johnsenite-(Ce): a new member of the eudialyte group from Mo ...

Occurrence and association

Zirsilite-(Ce) and carbokentbrooksite occur in pegmatites of Darai-Pioz alkaline massif, Tajikistan – a locality known for many rare minerals. They are found as replacements of grains and crystals of eudialyte. The minerals are associated with aegirine, ekanite, microcline,

polylithionite Lepidolite is a lilac-gray or rose-colored member of the mica group of minerals with chemical formula . It is the most abundant lithium-bearing mineral and is a secondary source of this metal. It is the major source of the alkali metal rubidium. ...

, quartz,

stillwellite-(Ce) Stillwellite-(Ce) is a rare-earth boro-silicate mineral with chemical formula . Location It occurs as a metasomatic replacement of metamorphosed limestones in the Mary Kathleen mine, Australia and in alkalic pegmatites associated with syenite in ...

(silicates), pyrochlore-group mineral, fluorite,

calcite Calcite is a Carbonate minerals, carbonate mineral and the most stable Polymorphism (materials science), polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is a very common mineral, particularly as a component of limestone. Calcite defines hardness 3 on ...

, and

galena Galena, also called lead glance, is the natural mineral form of lead(II) sulfide (PbS). It is the most important ore of lead and an important source of silver. Galena is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals. It cryst ...

Notes on chemistry

Beside the elements given in the formula, zirsilite-(Ce) contains admixtures of lanthanum,

strontium Strontium is the chemical element with the symbol Sr and atomic number 38. An alkaline earth metal, strontium is a soft silver-white yellowish metallic element that is highly chemically reactive. The metal forms a dark oxide layer when it is ex ...

, neodymium, iron, yttrium, titanium, potassium, chlorine, and praseodymium.

Notes on structure

Zirsilite-(Ce) is isostructural with kentbrooksite.

References

{{reflist Cyclosilicates Sodium minerals Cerium minerals Calcium minerals Manganese minerals Zirconium minerals Niobium minerals Trigonal minerals Minerals in space group 160