RETZIAN-(Nd)



Retzian-(Nd) is a manganese neodymium arsenate hydroxide mineral; rare earth elements, chiefly La and Ce, substitute for Nd, and Mg substitutes for Mn. Microprobe analysis yielded: FeO 0.4, MgO 2.0, CaO 0.0, ZnO 1.8, MnO 25.9, As2O5 26.9, La2O3 7.6, Ce2O3 7.8, Y2O3 1.6, Nd2O3 10.9, Pr2O3 4.2, Sm2O3 2.4, Gd2O3 1.9, Eu2O3 0.9, H2O 8.3 (water value from water content of retzian-(Ce)), total = 102.6 wt. %.
The first listing of a retzian-group mineral from Sterling Hill was by Moore and Ito (1978). Retzian-(Nd) was described from Sterling Hill by Dunn and Sturman (1982); it has not been found at Franklin.
Retzian-(Nd) occurs as blocky crystals up to 3 mm, elongate. Aggregates show parallel growth.
Retzian-(Nd) is pinkish brown to reddish brown; color-zoned crystals are common with the darker zone inside the lighter one. The luster is vitreous, and the density is greater than 4.2 g/cm3 (meas.), 4.45 g/cm3 (calc.). It is best identified using both X-ray and quantitative REE analysis.
Retzian-(Nd) was originally found on the 700 level, as crystals partly or wholly enclosed in a thin coating of rhodochrosite, which encrusts moderately rich willemite/franklinite ore.
In addition, two other specimens of retzian-(Nd) were found: one has retzian-(Nd) associated with sonolite, calcite, and sphalerite crystals on willemite/franklinite/calcite ore; it was found to be Nd-dominant
The other occurrence was on the 800 level as light brown crystals, associated with secondary carbonates, willemite, franklinite, zincite, chlorophoenicite, and barite, which coat a massive specimen of pink manganoan calcite. These retzian-(Nd) crystals are chemically inhomogeneous for REE, but Nd is consistently dominant. Some of these light brown crystals are twinned, but were not measured or photographed; the composite twins occur as trillings or sixlings with a distinctly radial, spoke-like arrangement, not unlike some cerussite twins. (Dunn, 1995)

 Location Found: Ogdensburg (Type Locality)
     
 
     
 Formula: Mn22+(Nd,Ce,La)(AsO4)(OH)4
 Essential Elements: Arsenic, Hydrogen, Manganese, Neodymium, Oxygen
 All Elements in Formula: Arsenic, Cerium, Hydrogen, Lanthanum, Manganese, Neodymium, Oxygen
     
 IMA Status: Approved 1982
     
     
 To find out more about this mineral at minDat's website, follow this link   Retzian-(Nd)

     
 References:
Dunn, Pete J. (1995). Franklin and Sterling Hill New Jersey: the world's most magnificent mineral deposits. Franklin, NJ.: The Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society. p.679
The Picking Table References
 PT Issue and PageDescription / Comment
View IssueV. 23 No. 2 - Fall 1982, pg. 3Mineral Notes A Mineral New To Science, Retzian-(Nd)
     
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