Retzian-(La), a new mineral from Sterling Hill, Sussex County, New Jersey

Abstract

AbstractRetzian-(La), ideally, Mn2La(AsO4)(OH)4, is a new rare-earth analogue of retzian and retzian-(Nd). It was found associated with willemite, calcite, and franklinite, in the Stealing Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA. Retzian-(La) is orthorhombic, space group Pban, with a = 5.670(7), b = 12.01(1), and c = 4.869(8) Å. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are (d,I/I0,hkl): 3.51 80 111, 2.715 100 131, 1.848 50 061, 1.456 40. Microprobe analysis yielded MnO 25.2, MgO 3.7, ZnO 1.2, As2O5 26.5, La2O3 10.6, Ce2O3 8.8, Nd2O3 8.2, Pr2O3 5.1, Sm2O3 2.2, Y2O3 2.5, H2O [7.7], sum = 101.7 wt. %, corresponding to an La-dominant member of the retzian series.Retzian-(La) forms 0.5 mm euhedral crystals composed of the forms {001}, {010}, {110}, and {150}; the crystals have pseudohexagonal habit. It is reddish-brown, with vitreous luster, no cleavage, density > 4.2 g/cm3. Optically, it is biaxial, positive, 2V = 82° with α = 1.766, β = 1.773, and γ = 1.788. Dispersion is strong, r > v; pleochroism is very weak; orientation is X = c, Y= b, Z = a; absorption is Z > Y > X.