Euxenite is a complex niobate-tantalate mineral often found in radioactive pegmatites. It is typically recognized by its submetallic to greasy luster and dark, stout, prismatic crystals that often become metamict over time due to internal radiation damage.
Is this euxenite?
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 euxenite with a known reference. Euxenite sits at Mohs 5.5-6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Euxenite leaves a yellowish, grayish, or reddish-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Euxenite typically shows a submetallic, resinous, greasy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Euxenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Euxenite leaves yellowish, grayish, or reddish-brown, Columbium Ore leaves dark red to black; luster reads submetallic, resinous, greasy on Euxenite and submetallic on Columbium Ore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Euxenite leaves yellowish, grayish, or reddish-brown, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads submetallic, resinous, greasy on Euxenite and submetallic on Allanite.
Often found alongside euxenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with euxenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6.5
- Density
- 4.7-5.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish, Grayish, Or Reddish-brown
- Luster
- Submetallic, Resinous, Greasy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Rare Earth Elements
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $15-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find euxenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Norway
- USA (Colorado, Idaho)
- Canada (Ontario)
- Madagascar
- Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where euxenite typically forms. If you start seeing monazite, zircon, beryl in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find euxenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
