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 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, cream white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals.
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. 5); streak differs, so Gerenite-(Y) leaves white, Gadolinite-(Y) leaves greenish gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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
- NaCaY₃Si₆O₁₈·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.3-3.52 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- Indistinct on {101}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Cyclosilicate with structural similarities to kainosite-(Y) and leifite
Where rockhounds find gerenite-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- Strange Lake perialkaline complex on the Quebec-Labrador border, Canada (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Cyclosilicate with structural similarities to kainosite-(Y) and leifite. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, zircon in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify gerenite-(y)?+
Where is gerenite-(y) found?+
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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