Florencite-(Nd) is a rare phosphate mineral characterized by its neodymium dominance within the florencite group. It typically appears as small, rhombohedral crystals in metamorphic environments and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors for its chemical specificity.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Earthy

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareFlorencite Group family

Florencite-(Nd)

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Earthy
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this florencite-(nd)?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch florencite-(nd) with a known reference. Florencite-(Nd) sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: earthy.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals.

Often confused with

Florencite-(Nd) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Florencite-(Ce)

Mohs 5-6

How to tell apart: Luster reads earthy on Florencite-(Nd) and greasy to resinous on Florencite-(Ce).

How to tell apart: Luster reads earthy on Florencite-(Nd) and greasy to resinous on Florencite-(La).

How to tell apart: Luster reads earthy on Florencite-(Nd) and vitreous on Gorceixite.

Compare →

Often found alongside florencite-(nd)

Minerals reported to co-occur with florencite-(nd). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NdAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₆
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 3.5-3.55 g/cm³
Colors: Pink Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Earthy
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Rhombohedral crystals
Cleavage: Good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Lining surfaces of fractures in a weathered chert layer in shale

Where rockhounds find florencite-(nd)

Classic worldwide localities

Minas Gerais, Brazil
Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
San Bernardino County, California, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Lining surfaces of fractures in a weathered chert layer in shale. If you start seeing churchite-, todorokite, lithiophorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify florencite-(nd)?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. Luster: earthy. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, yellow.

Where is florencite-(nd) found?+

Notable localities include Minas Gerais, Brazil; Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo; San Bernardino County, California, USA.

What rocks look like florencite-(nd)?+

Florencite-(Nd) is most often confused with Florencite-(Ce), Florencite-(La), Gorceixite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with florencite-(nd)?+

Florencite-(Nd) commonly co-occurs with Churchite-, Todorokite, Lithiophorite, Hematite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does florencite-(nd) form in?+

Where it forms: Lining surfaces of fractures in a weathered chert layer in shale. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is florencite-(nd) used for?+

Florencite-(Nd) is used in collector.

Find florencite-(nd) on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.