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Aeschynite

Aeschynite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: February 2022
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Aeschynite Colors
  • Alternate Names
  • Countries of Origin
  • Care

Aeschynite is an uncommon, rare earth mineral that is seldom cut into a gemstone. Two varieties of aeschynite also contain the elements cesium and thorium which are radioactive. It is not recommended to store this mineral in inhabited areas or to have prolonged exposure to the body.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Aeschynite
Species
Aeschynite
Transparency
Semitransparent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: Strong Fire
Refractive Index
Over The Limit 2.190-2.500
Birefringence
0.150- 0.220
Optic Character
Biaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
5-6
Streak
Reddish Yellow
Specific Gravity
4.850-5.190 Typical:4.950
Toughness
Poor
Luster
Vitreous, Resinous
Fracture
Conchoidal
Cleavage
Poor
Chemical Name
yttrium calcium iron titanium niobium hydroxide
Chemical Formula
(Y, Ca, Fe, Th) (Ti, Nb)2 (O, OH)6
Crystal System
Orthorhombic
Chemistry Classification
Oxide

Aeschynite Colors

  • Yellow Aeschynite
    Yellow
  • Brown Aeschynite
    Brown
  • Black Aeschynite
    Black

Alternate Names

Aeschinite, Blomstrandine, Blomstrandinite, Eschynite, Priorite,Taiyite

Countries of Origin

Afghanistan; Angola; Czechia; Madagascar; Kazakhstan; Oman; Greece; Saudi Arabia; Austria; Mongolia; Sweden; Mozambique; Korea (the Republic of); Unknown; China; Russian Federation (the); Brazil; Poland; Slovakia; France; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the); Romania; United States of America (the); Hungary; Sri Lanka; Japan; Switzerland; India; Spain; New Zealand; Canada; Norway; Namibia; Swaziland; Finland; Italy; Mexico; Australia; Germany

Care

Care needs to be taken with Aeschynite because it has perfect cleavage and it brittle. Aeschynite-Ce and that contains Cesium and Aeschynite-Nd that contains Neodymium are slightly radioactive and should be kept in a special lead storage container.

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