Åskagenite-(Nd) is an extremely rare member of the epidote supergroup characterized by its dominant neodymium content. It typically appears as dark, opaque masses or small prismatic crystals embedded in granitic pegmatites and is primarily sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this åskagenite-(nd)?
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 åskagenite-(nd) with a known reference. Åskagenite-(Nd) sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown in thin fragments.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Åskagenite-(Nd) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Åskagenite-(Nd) leaves brown, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads resinous on Åskagenite-(Nd) and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Åskagenite-(Nd) leaves brown, Epidote leaves grayish white; luster reads resinous on Åskagenite-(Nd) and vitreous, pearly, somewhat resinous on Epidote.
Often found alongside åskagenite-(nd)
Minerals reported to co-occur with åskagenite-(nd). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnNd(Al₂Fe)[Si₂O₇][SiO₄]O₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.737 g/cm³
- Colors
- BlackBrown in thin fragments
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a granite pegmatite
Where rockhounds find åskagenite-(nd)
Classic worldwide localities
- Near Åskagen quarry, mining village Torskebäcken, about 12 km east of Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a granite pegmatite. If you start seeing potassic feldspar, quartz, bastnäsite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic to anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify åskagenite-(nd)?+
Where is åskagenite-(nd) found?+
Is åskagenite-(nd) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like åskagenite-(nd)?+
What minerals are found with åskagenite-(nd)?+
What kind of rock does åskagenite-(nd) form in?+
What is åskagenite-(nd) used for?+
Find åskagenite-(nd) on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
