Aeschynite-(Y) is a rare niobium-titanium oxide mineral that typically occurs as dark, orthorhombic prismatic crystals in granitic pegmatites. Collectors should look for its distinctive resinous luster and dark, earth-toned appearance, though identification often requires chemical analysis due to its similarity to other rare-earth bearing oxides.
Is this aeschynite-(y)?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch aeschynite-(y) with a known reference. Aeschynite-(Y) sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white, pale yellow, reddish yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic to pearly on crystal faces, resinous to waxy on fracture surfaces.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish black, brown, brownish yellow, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Aeschynite-(Y) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside aeschynite-(y)
Minerals reported to co-occur with aeschynite-(y). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Y(TiNb)O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.82-4.93 g/cm³
- Streak
- White, pale yellow, reddish yellow
- Luster
- Submetallic to pearly on crystal faces, resinous to waxy on fracture surfaces
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}, {010}, and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In granite and granite pegmatites; in ankerite-dolomitic carbonatites; as a detrital mineral in placers
Where rockhounds find aeschynite-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- Urstad, on Hidra (Hitterö) Island
- Kåbuland, Mölland, and Birkeland
- Arendal, Mörefjär, and Salterö
- Miass, in the Ilmen Mountains, Southern Ural Mountains, Russia
- Piz Lucendro, near the St. Gotthard Pass, on Pizzo Rotondo, Val Bedretto, and Val Nalps, Tavetsch, Graubünden, Switzerland
- Pizzo Cervandone, Alpe Devero, Val d’Aosta, Piedmont, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In granite and granite pegmatites; in ankerite-dolomitic carbonatites; as a detrital mineral in placers. If you start seeing euxenite, monazite, xenotime in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify aeschynite-(y)?+
Where is aeschynite-(y) found?+
Is aeschynite-(y) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like aeschynite-(y)?+
What minerals are found with aeschynite-(y)?+
What kind of rock does aeschynite-(y) form in?+
What is aeschynite-(y) used for?+
Find aeschynite-(y) on the map
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