description Ekanite Overview
Ekanite is a rare thorium-bearing calcium silicate mineral with the ideal formula Ca2ThSi8O20. It was first found in the Ratnapura area of Sri Lanka and is named for Sri Lankan gemmologist Francis Leo Danvil Ekanayake. Ekanite is usually green but can also be straw-yellow, dark red, or colorless, and its thorium content makes it radioactive. Radiation damage commonly leaves specimens metamict, meaning their crystal structure has been partly disrupted.
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help Ekanite FAQ
What is ekanite?
Ekanite is a rare thorium-bearing calcium silicate mineral. Its ideal chemical formula is Ca2ThSi8O20.
Where was ekanite first found?
Ekanite was first found in the Ratnapura area of Sri Lanka. That region is well known for gem and mineral deposits.
Who was ekanite named after?
The mineral was named after Sri Lankan gemmologist Francis Leo Danvil Ekanayake. Its name is based on his surname.
What colors can ekanite be?
Ekanite is commonly green, but it can also appear straw-yellow, dark, or other subdued colors. Its thorium content is an important mineralogical feature and can affect its handling and study.
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