Gysinite-(Nd) is a rare lead-neodymium carbonate mineral typically found as fine needles or fibrous aggregates. It is most frequently identified in the oxidation zones of ore deposits where it forms as a secondary mineral alongside other rare earth elements and lead minerals.
Is this gysinite-(nd)?
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 gysinite-(nd) with a known reference. Gysinite-(Nd) sits at Mohs 4-4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white to pale pink.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light pink, red pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous, radiating clusters.
Often confused with
Gysinite-(Nd) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to greasy on Gysinite-(Nd) and adamantine, tending toward vitreous, resinous on Cerussite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gysinite-(Nd) leaves white to pale pink, Malachite leaves pale green; luster reads vitreous to greasy on Gysinite-(Nd) and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.
Often found alongside gysinite-(nd)
Minerals reported to co-occur with gysinite-(nd). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbNd(CO₃)₂(OH)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 4.82 g/cm³
- Colors
- Light pinkRed pink
- Streak
- White to pale pink
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular crystals, fibrous, radiating clusters
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized portions of rare-earth-bearing lead deposits, the rare-earths perhaps supplied from altered uraninite
Where rockhounds find gysinite-(nd)
Classic worldwide localities
- Kasompi mine, both in Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
- Sa Duchessa mine, Oridda district, Sardinia, Italy
- Glücksrad mine, Oberschulenberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized portions of rare-earth-bearing lead deposits, the rare-earths perhaps supplied from altered uraninite. If you start seeing schuilingite-, malachite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous, radiating clusters. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify gysinite-(nd)?+
Where is gysinite-(nd) found?+
Is gysinite-(nd) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like gysinite-(nd)?+
What minerals are found with gysinite-(nd)?+
What kind of rock does gysinite-(nd) form in?+
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Find gysinite-(nd) on the map
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