Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
A variety of Pyrochlore Supergroup
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About Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Formula:
(Ca,Na,U)2(Ti, Nb,Ta)2O6Z(OH)
Colour:
Red; greenish brown, dark brown to black when metamict, commonly superficially altered yellow; almost colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous, Waxy, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
3 - 5½
Specific Gravity:
3.7 - 4.9
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named in 1912 by Antoine François Alfred Lacroix for the locality near Betafo, Madagascar.
Betafite was redefined in 1961 by Donald D. Hogarth and it remained a species, but frequently with "anomalous" chemistry. Redefined in 1977 by Hogarth and the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names subcommittee on the pyrochlore group.
Lumpkin and Ewing (1996) studied nine specimens historically labeled "betafite" and discovered that replacement and alteration was present in their samples. Titanium-rich minerals intergrown with pyrochlore super group crystals gave a false impression of the bulk chemistry of specimens.
Atencio et al. (2010) reported on the IMA-approved supergroup nomenclature, and Christy and Atencio (2013) added corrections to the IMA report. Betafite thus became a group name, although many old specimens are not in the group.
Betafite was redefined in 1961 by Donald D. Hogarth and it remained a species, but frequently with "anomalous" chemistry. Redefined in 1977 by Hogarth and the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names subcommittee on the pyrochlore group.
Lumpkin and Ewing (1996) studied nine specimens historically labeled "betafite" and discovered that replacement and alteration was present in their samples. Titanium-rich minerals intergrown with pyrochlore super group crystals gave a false impression of the bulk chemistry of specimens.
Atencio et al. (2010) reported on the IMA-approved supergroup nomenclature, and Christy and Atencio (2013) added corrections to the IMA report. Betafite thus became a group name, although many old specimens are not in the group.
First Recorded Locality:
True "Betafite" samples are structurally members of the pyrochlore supergroup. Hogarth (1977) stated that the betafite group has 2Ti ≥ (Nb + Ta), however the formulae of most betafites do not exactly correspond to pyrochlores and that difference has delayed their classification.
The result of modern microprobe analyses is that almost all specimens formerly labelled betafite are no longer members of that group. New analyses, including determination of H^2O, OH, and F are necessary to identify the species of a particular sample. The root name, betafite, was retained for historical reasons.
The result of modern microprobe analyses is that almost all specimens formerly labelled betafite are no longer members of that group. New analyses, including determination of H^2O, OH, and F are necessary to identify the species of a particular sample. The root name, betafite, was retained for historical reasons.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
649 (as Betafite (of Hogarth 1977))
29175 (as Pyrochlore Supergroup)
29175 (as Pyrochlore Supergroup)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:649:9 (as Betafite (of Hogarth 1977))
mindat:1:1:29175:0 (as Pyrochlore Supergroup)
mindat:1:1:29175:0 (as Pyrochlore Supergroup)
IMA Classification of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Discredited
Classification of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Dana 7th ed.:
8.2.3.1
8.2.3.1
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
2 : A2B2O6(O,OH,F)
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
2 : A2B2O6(O,OH,F)
18.3.3
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
3 : Niobates and tantalates containing U but not rare earths
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
3 : Niobates and tantalates containing U but not rare earths
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Btf | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Bet | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Vitreous, Waxy, Sub-Metallic
Colour:
Red; greenish brown, dark brown to black when metamict, commonly superficially altered yellow; almost colourless in transmitted light
Comment:
Superficially alters to yellow
Streak:
Yellowish white
Hardness:
3 - 5½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=249 - 412 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.7 - 4.9 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.9(1) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.91 - 2.197
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:
Very High
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) |
|---|---|
| 400nm | 13.5% |
| 420nm | 13.2% |
| 440nm | 13.0% |
| 460nm | 12.8% |
| 480nm | 12.6% |
| 500nm | 12.4% |
| 520nm | 12.3% |
| 540nm | 12.2% |
| 560nm | 12.0% |
| 580nm | 11.9% |
| 600nm | 11.7% |
| 620nm | 11.6% |
| 640nm | 11.6% |
| 660nm | 11.6% |
| 680nm | 11.5% |
| 700nm | 11.5% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 13.5%.
Chemistry of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Mindat Formula:
(Ca,Na,U)2(Ti, Nb,Ta)2O6Z(OH)
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,K,Mg,Pb,REE,Sn,Ta,Th,W,Zr
Crystallography of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fd3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.29 Å
Unit Cell V:
1 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals commonly octahedra modified by {110}, {100}, {113}, {233} and {230}; some crystals elongated parallel to [001] or [111]
Comment:
On heated material
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Typically as a primary mineral in granite pegmatites; rare in carbonatites
First Recorded Occurrence of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Synonyms of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Other Language Names for Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Varieties of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
| Tangenite | An impure "betafite" (s.l.) enriched with TiO2. Probably a mixture of several phases. |
| Tantalbetafite (of Kalita & Bykova) | Ta dominant variety of Betafite. According to Hogarth's nomenclature minerals of Pyrochlore group with 2Ti>Nb+Ta belongs to Betafite subgroup. When Ta>Nb in such minerals, we have Tantalbetafite. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 18 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 9 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| 7 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| 7 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 6 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
| 5 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 3 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Schorl | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| 3 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Pyrochlore Group | A2Nb2(O,OH)6Z |
| 3 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Thorite | Th(SiO4) |
| 2 photos of Betafite (of Hogarth 1977) associated with Leucosphenite | BaNa4Ti2B2Si10O30 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
Contains uranium - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Avoid prolonged exposure in proximity of the body. Store away from inhabited areas.
Internet Links for Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-649.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
References for Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
Reference List:
Frondel, Clifford (1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. Bulletin 1064. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1064 pp.320-325
Hogarth, D. D. (1977) Classification and nomenclature of the pyrochlore group. American Mineralogist, 62 (5-6) 403-410
Lumpkin, G. R.; Ewing, R. C.; Eyal, Y. (1988) Preferential leaching and natural annealing of alpha-recoil tracks in metamict betafite and samarskite. Journal of Materials Research, 3 (2). 357-368 doi:10.1557/jmr.1988.0357
Localities for Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Coats et al. (1971) |
Brazil | |
| Lapham (1971) |
| Murdoch (1955) |
Cameroon | |
| Cesbron et al. (1988) |
Canada | |
| 162-165. +1 other reference |
| GSC Report 39 +1 other reference |
| Sabina (1986) | |
| Sabina (1986) | |
| Sabina (1986) | |
| GSC misc report 39 | |
| Sabina (1986) |
| geological survey of canada economic ... +1 other reference |
| [MinRec 10:153-155 +7 other references |
| Sabina (1986) |
| Sabina (1986) | |
| Hogarth (1961) | |
| Sabina (1986) | |
| Sabina (1986) | |
| GSC misc. report 39 | |
| Mariano et al. (1989) +1 other reference |
| Sabina (2003) |
| Canadian Mineralogist 42 |
| Canadian Mineralogist 42 | |
China | |
| She et al. (2022) |
| Berger et al. (2009) |
| Guoneng Chen and Grapes (2007) |
| - (1978) +2 other references |
| Dianhao Huang et al. (1984) |
| National Geological Archives of China ... +3 other references | |
| Zhang et al. (2022) |
| Xiaoyu Li (2005) +1 other reference |
| Orris et al. (2002) |
| Liu et al. (2024) |
| Wang et al. (2024) |
Czech Republic | |
| Novak et al. (2010) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Radková et al. (2021) | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
Egypt | |
| El-Naby (2009) |
| Khedr et al. (2024) | |
| Saleh (2007) | |
| Shalan (2021) |
| Kamar et al. (2022, August) |
Finland | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data |
| |
France | |
| MONCHOUX P. et al. (2006) |
| MONCHOUX P. et al. (2006) | |
Germany | |
| Habel (2001) |
| Habel (2007) |
| Blaß et al. (2002) |
| Blaß et al. (2002) |
Greenland | |
| Petersen et al. (1993) |
Guyana | |
| USGS Bulletin 2062 |
Italy | |
| Russo et al. (2004) |
| Pascal et al. (2008) +1 other reference | |
| Caprilli (2000) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Camara et al. (2008) | |
| Carlini | |
| Cámara et al. (2004) |
| Pezzotta +1 other reference |
| Arrigoni et al. (2020) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Ghizzoni et al. (2005) | |
| Ghizzoni et al. (2005) | |
| - (n.d.) | |
| Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti ... +1 other reference |
| Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti ... |
| Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti ... |
| Mattioli (1987 c) +1 other reference | |
Madagascar | |
| Pezzotta (1999) |
| Behier (1963) |
| Besaire (1966) |
| Michel Arliguie collection & photo (photo id 897619) |
| Behier (1963) |
| McMaster et al. (2015) |
| Behier (1963) |
| Bourret (1988) |
| Besaire (1966) | |
| Behier (1963) | |
| Lacroix (1922) | |
| Lacroix (1922) | |
| Behier (1963) |
| Behier (1963) |
| Bourret (1988) |
| Bourret (1988) | |
| Behier (1963) +1 other reference |
| Behier (1963) | |
| Behier (1963) |
| Knut Edvard larsen collection nr MM-6301 | |
| Behier (1963) |
| Behier (1963) | |
| Behier (1953) | |
| Besaire (1966) |
| Knut Edvard Larsen collection (MM-2228) +1 other reference | |
| Behier (1963) | |
| Behier (1963) |
| De Vito et al. (2006) |
| Besaire (1966) | |
| Behier (1963) | |
| Behier (1963) |
| Lacroix (1922) |
| Behier (1963) | |
| Behier (1963) |
| Lacroix (1922) | |
| Knut Edvard Larsen collection (MM-3974) | |
| Lacroix (1912) | |
| Alsace (1963) |
| Behier (1963) | |
| Lacroix (1922) | |
| Lacroix (1922) |
| Lacroix (1922) | |
| Alsace (1963) | |
| Lacroix (1922) |
Malawi | |
| Eby et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Cortez et al. (1981) +1 other reference |
Mozambique | |
| Martins da Pedra. |
| Wilson et al. (2000) |
| Wilson et al. (2000) |
| Wilson et al. (2000) |
Namibia | |
| Chen et al. (2025) |
| USGS Open File Report 81-1666 +2 other references | |
| Ashworth (2014) |
North Korea | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Norway | |
| Bjørlykke (1931) +1 other reference |
| Hansen (2001) |
| Pedersen (2007) |
| Bjørlykke (1935) | |
| Ellingsen et al. (2000) |
| Bjørlykke (1931) |
| Bjørlykke (1931) +2 other references | |
Poland | |
| Pieczka (2006) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Stifeeva et al. (2023) |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (1999) |
| ... +1 other reference | |
| Ivanyuk et al. (2017) |
| ... | |
| ... |
| [World of Stones 12:49] | |
| Andreeva et al. (2007) |
| Kapustin et al. (1965) |
| Kapustin Yu.L. (1989) | |
| Badanina et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Küster (2009) |
Slovakia | |
| Uher |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
Tajikistan | |
| www.koeln.netsurf.de (1999) |
Thailand | |
| Econ Geol (1995) |
Ukraine | |
| Ryabchikov et al. (2008) |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) | |
| - (2008) | |
| Smith (1988) |
| Henry Barwood - unpublished (2010) | |
| Hewett et al. (1953) +2 other references |
| Hewett et al. (1969) +2 other references |
| Hanley et al. (1950) +2 other references |
| USGS Proffesional Paper 265 +1 other reference | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Wang et al. (2023) +2 other references |
| www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (1999) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| R.W. Munschauer II and D.G. Bailey (2009) |
| New Developments in the Study of the ... |
| O'Neill (2014) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
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Ambatoasana, Ambatoasana Afovoany, Soavinandriana District, Itasy, Madagascar