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⇱ Gagarinite-(Y): Mineral information, data and localities.

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Gagarinite-(Y)

A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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👁 03995100017271923375868.jpg
Yurii Alexeevich Gagarin - the first man visited space.
Formula:
NaCaYF6
Colour:
Creamy, yellowish, pink.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
4.11 - 4.29
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Originally named simply gagarinite in honor of Yuri Alexeevich Gagarin (9 March 1934, Klushino, Smolensk Oblast, Soviet Union - 27 March 1968, Novosyolovo, Soviet Union), cosmonaut and the first person in space. The suffix was added by the IMA in 1987 to denote the dominant rare earth element.
Y-analogue of gagarinite-(Ce) and CaY-analogue of polezhaevaite-(Ce).

Possibly isostructural with (or identical to?) UM1993-06-F:CaNaREEY.


Unique IdentifiersHide

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Mindat ID:
1629
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1629:8

Similar NamesHide

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Gagarinite
Gagarinite-(Ce)A valid IMA mineral speciesNa(REExCa1-x)(REEyCa1-y)F6

IMA Classification of Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Approved
First published:
1961

Classification of Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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3.AB.35

3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
11.5.6.1

11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
5 : AmBX6
8.7.4

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
7 : Halides of the rare earth metals

Mineral SymbolsHide

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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
Gag-YIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Creamy, yellowish, pink.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=367 - 372 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct in one direction, prismatic
Density:
4.11 - 4.29 g/cm3 (Measured)    4.27 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.472 - 1.475 nε = 1.490 - 1.493
2V:
Measured: 20°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.018
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Comments:
May be anomalously biaxial

Chemistry of Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Mindat Formula:
NaCaYF6
Element Weights:
Element% weight
F42.859 %
Y33.428 %
Ca15.069 %
Na8.644 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.987(2) Å, c = 3.5413(7) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.591
Unit Cell V:
109.93 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Short and long prismatic hexagonal crystals, irregular grains, aggregates

Crystal StructureHide

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Load
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0005407Gagarinite-(Y)Hughes J M, Drexler J W (1994) Refinement of the structure of gagarinite-(Y), Nax(CaxREE2-x)F6 The Canadian Mineralogist 32 563-565👁 Image
19940293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
1.717 Å(100 broad)
2.086 Å(90)
3.00 Å(50)
2.92 Å(50)
1.709 Å(100)
1.726 Å(90)
2.085 Å(90)
1.129 Å(100 doublet)
0.9967 Å(80)
2.980 Å(70)
1.012 Å(70)

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
Geological Setting:
In Na-metasomatized alkalic granites and syenites

Type Occurrence of Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Vernadsky Geological Museum, Moscow, Russia, 47307.
2) A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 62341–62343.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In albitized granites and associated quartz-microcline veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Other Language Names for Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Common AssociatesHide

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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
18 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with QuartzSiO2
9 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with ThomsenoliteNaCa[AlF6] · H2O
9 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with Bastnäsite-(Y)Y(CO3)F
6 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with Bastnäsite-(Ce)Ce(CO3)F
5 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with CryoliteNa2NaAlF6
4 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with AegirineNaFe3+Si2O6
4 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with Yttrofluorite(Ca1-xYx)F2+x where 0.05 < x < 0.3
4 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with AnniteKFe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
3 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
3 photos of Gagarinite-(Y) associated with AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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3.AB.ManuelarossiitePbCaAlF7Mon. 2/m : B2/m
3.AB.FluorocronitePbF2Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
3.AB.05TolbachiteCuCl2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
3.AB.10CocciniteHgI2Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P42/nmc
3.AB.15SellaiteMgF2Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P42/mnm
3.AB.20Lawrencite(Fe2+,Ni)Cl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
3.AB.20ScacchiteMnCl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
3.AB.20ChloromagnesiteMgCl2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
3.AB.25FluoriteCaF2Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
3.AB.25FrankdicksoniteBaF2Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
3.AB.25StrontiofluoriteSrF2Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
3.AB.30Tveitite-(Y)(Y, Na)6Ca6Ca6(Ca,Na)F42Trig. 3 : R3
3.AB.35Polezhaevaite-(Ce)NaSrCeF6Hex. 6/m : P63/m
3.AB.35Gagarinite-(Ce)Na(REExCa1-x)(REEyCa1-y)F6Trig. 3 : P3
3.AB.37CalcioaravaipaitePbCa2AlF9Tric. 1 : P1
3.AB.85CotunnitePbCl2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)

Fluorescence of Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Not fluorescent

Other InformationHide

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Thermal Behaviour:
Large endothermal break at 720-750 and a small exothermal break at about 900. When heated the mineral loses water and part of the fluorine above 500.
Notes:
Weakly magnetic
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Decomposed by water. Easily decomposed by HNO3, HCl, and concentrated H2SO4.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1629.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

References for Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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Reference List:

Localities for Gagarinite-(Y)Hide

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This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 👁 Image
symbol to view information about a locality. The 👁 Image
symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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👁 Image
- This locality has map coordinates listed. 👁 Image
- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 👁 Image
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 👁 Image
- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Brazil
  • Amazonas
    • Presidente Figueiredo
Ren et al. (2024)
Bastos Neto et al. (2009) +3 other references
Canada
Miller (1990) +6 other references
Kazakhstan (TL)
  • Abai Region
    • Tarbagatai Range
      • Akzhaylyautas Mts (Akzhailyautas Mts; Akjaylautas Mts; Akzhalautas Mts)
Stepanov et al. (1961) +4 other references
  • Karaganda Region
    • Karkaraly
Norway
  • Akershus
    • Lunner
Sæbø (1966) +1 other reference
Russia
  • Buryatia
    • Mama River Basin
      • Maigunda River
Bailey (1980)
  • Tuva
    • Kaa-Khemsky District
Bailey (1980)
Seltmann et al. (2010)
    • Todzhinsky District
  • Zabaykalsky Krai
    • Kalarsky District
Seltmann et al. (2010) +2 other references
Saudi Arabia
  • Tabuk Region
    • Midyan
Küster (2009)
USA
  • Washington
    • Okanogan County
      • Golden Horn Batholith
Micro Probe Volume VI Number 8 +1 other reference
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To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
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