Hafnon
Image: David Hospital (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameHafnon
Chemical Formula(Hf,Zr)SiO4
Mohs Hardness7.5
Crystal Systemtetragonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageindistinct on {110}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity6.6
Colorsbrown
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityBernic Lake, Lac-du-Bonnet District, Manitoba, Canada
Mineral Groupsilicates
Usescollector, scientific-research
Associated Mineralsquartz, feldspar, spodumene, pollucite
Raritycommon
Description
Very small, brown, single crystals of hafnon are visible in the image. The crystals exhibit a vitreous luster.
Geological Context
Hafnon is an extremely rare hafnium silicate mineral, forming as an end-member of the zircon-hafnon series. It typically occurs in highly evolved granitic pegmatites, where hafnium has become concentrated.
