Fluorbritholite-(Y) is a rare rare-earth silicate mineral belonging to the apatite supergroup. It is typically found as small, prismatic, brownish to yellow crystals in alkaline pegmatite environments and is often slightly radioactive due to thorium or uranium substitutions.
Is this fluorbritholite-(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 fluorbritholite-(y) with a known reference. Fluorbritholite-(Y) sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluorbritholite-(Y) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fluorbritholite-(Y) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Fluorbritholite-(Y) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fluorbritholite-(y)
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluorbritholite-(y). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Y,Ca,Ln)₅(SiO₄)₃F
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 4.3-4.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites and Granitic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find fluorbritholite-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- Russia
- China
- Canada
- Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites and granitic rocks country — that is the host setting where fluorbritholite-(y) typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, zircon in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fluorbritholite-(y)?+
Where is fluorbritholite-(y) found?+
How much is fluorbritholite-(y) worth?+
Is fluorbritholite-(y) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like fluorbritholite-(y)?+
What minerals are found with fluorbritholite-(y)?+
What kind of rock does fluorbritholite-(y) form in?+
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Find fluorbritholite-(y) on the map
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