WELOGANITE Meaning and
Definition
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Weloganite is a rare mineral that belongs to the mineral group known as carbonates. It was first discovered in the late 19th century in the Francon Quarry, Quebec, Canada, and has since been found in a few other locations worldwide. It is named after William Logie, a Scottish-American geologist who extensively studied and classified minerals.
Weloganite crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system and typically forms transparent to translucent prismatic crystals. It often occurs as aggregates or clusters of small crystals, and its color ranges from colorless to pale yellow or pale brown. Its luster is vitreous to resinous.
Chemically, weloganite is composed of sodium, calcium, carbon, oxygen, and fluorine. Its chemical formula is Na2Ca3(CO3)3F. This mineral usually forms in alkaline igneous rocks and pegmatites, which are coarse-grained plutonic rocks. It is commonly associated with minerals such as calcite, fluorite, and natrolite.
Weloganite is known for its strong fluorescence under shortwave ultraviolet light, emitting a strong orange glow. Its fluorescence property distinguishes it from other similar minerals. Additionally, weloganite is also a prized collector's mineral due to its rarity and attractive crystal formations.
Its usage outside the realm of mineral collecting and scientific study is limited, but some findings suggest that weloganite might have potential applications in the field of nuclear waste disposal due to its ability to sequester uranium and rare earth elements. However, further research is needed to explore these possibilities.
Etymology of WELOGANITE
The word "weloganite" originated from the name of the mining locality where the mineral was first discovered. It is named after the village of Welogan, located near Bancroft, Ontario, Canada. Weloganite is a rare carbonate mineral that was first described in 1978.
