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Loparite


Loparite is nominally a sodium rare earth titanium oxide, and a member of the perovskite supergroup (Mitchell et al., 2017). While first noticed in the 19th century, a full characterization of loparite waited until Kuznetsov (1925). In anticipation of Kuznetsov's forthcoming paper, Fersman (1923) announced the mineral name loparite in a compendium on Khibiny. The mineral name derives from Lopari, the Russian name for the local indigenous people (now Sámi). Because of its rare earth content (primarily Ce), Nickel & Mandarino (1987) appended the mineral name to loparite-(Ce). However, Mitchell et al. (2000) found that rare earths and sodium occupy the same atomic position, with rare earths subordinate to sodium (by atomic fraction). In a nomenclature report of the International Mineralogical Association, Mitchell et al. (2017) argue against using the Levinson modifier (-Ce), recommending the unappended name loparite.

Loparite here forms sharp 6 mm inter-penetrating twins in a matrix of microcline with minor aegirine and eudialyte. The twin habit mimics that of English fluorite. From the collection of E.R. Laskowski (1949-2020), a mining engineer who retired to Tucson, Arizona. A Fersman Museum label accompanies the specimen, specifying the locality only as much as Lovozero.

Price: $125

Item code: MS2008

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