Joaquinite-(Ce)
Joaquinite- is a rare silicate mineral with the chemical formula NaBa2Ce2Fe2+Ti2Si8O26·2H2O. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system with orthorhombic pseudomorphism and exhibits tabular crystals.
Crystallography
Joaquinite- belongs to the monoclinic crystal system with orthorhombic pseudomorphism. It forms in point group 2. Twinning is polysynthetic on, and the mineral shows good cleavage on with uneven fracture. The average hardness is 5.5 on the Mohs scale.Optical properties
The mineral is translucent, with a vitreous lustre and white streak. It is biaxial and displays strong red-brown pleochroism. Internally, it shows strong red-brown reflections under crossed polars.Environment
Joaquinite typically occurs in natrolite veins cutting a glaucophane schist, as inclusions in a serpentinite body, and in fennitized gneisses and alkalic syenites.Associated minerals
It is commonly found in association with aegirine, barylite, benitoite, eudialyte, natrolite, neptunite, and orthojoaquinite-.Minerals with optical similarities include verplanckite, baotite, cerchiaraite, titantaramellite, taramellite, nagashimalite, strontiojoaquinite, strontio-orthojoaquinite, bario-orthojoaquinite, and orthojoaquinite-.