Moroxite is a mineral that belongs to the rare-earth oxalate group. It was first discovered in the early 21st century and was named after its locality, the Moroxi Mine in China. It occurs as an extremely rare secondary mineral in pegmatites, which are coarse-grained igneous rocks.
Moroxite is noted for its distinctive crystal structure, which consists of tightly packed layers of atoms. It typically forms as tiny, transparent, and colorless crystals that are often hexagonal in shape. Its crystal system is trigonal, and it has a Mohs hardness of 4 to 5, making it relatively soft.
According to chemical analysis, moroxite primarily consists of the elements lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium, along with oxygen and carbon. Its chemical formula is usually represented as (La,Ce,Pr,Nd)2(C2O4)3•10H2O.
Due to its scarcity and limited occurrence, moroxite does not have significant industrial applications. However, it is of great interest to mineral collectors and researchers in the field of mineralogy. Its unique crystal structure and composition contribute to the study and understanding of rare-earth minerals and their formation in pegmatites.
In summary, moroxite is a rare-earth oxalate mineral that occurs as small, transparent, hexagonal crystals in pegmatites. It is named after the Moroxi Mine in China and is primarily composed of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium, along with oxygen and carbon.
