Gerenite-(Y) is an extremely rare yttrium-calcium silicate mineral primarily known from the Strange Lake alkaline complex in Canada. It typically presents as pale yellow, massive anhedral grains and is highly valued by mineral collectors for its unique chemistry and extreme scarcity.
Is this gerenite-(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 gerenite-(y) with a known reference. Gerenite-(Y) sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gerenite-(Y) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gerenite-(Y) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Gerenite-(Y) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Gadolinite-(Y) is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 3.5).
How to tell apart: Allanite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Gerenite-(Y) leaves white, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Gerenite-(Y) and submetallic on Allanite.
Often found alongside gerenite-(y)
Minerals reported to co-occur with gerenite-(y). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Y,Ca)₂Si₆O₁₅·n(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.43 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and rarity
Where rockhounds find gerenite-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- Strange Lake, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where gerenite-(y) typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, zircon in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify gerenite-(y)?+
Where is gerenite-(y) found?+
How much is gerenite-(y) worth?+
What rocks look like gerenite-(y)?+
What minerals are found with gerenite-(y)?+
What kind of rock does gerenite-(y) form in?+
What is gerenite-(y) used for?+
Find gerenite-(y) on the map
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