Hellandite-(Y) is a rare yttrium-calcium sorosilicate found primarily in granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as brown, vitreous, prismatic crystals that are often altered, making high-quality intact specimens highly sought after by mineral collectors.
Is this hellandite-(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 hellandite-(y) with a known reference. Hellandite-(Y) sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hellandite-(Y) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hellandite-(Y) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Hellandite-(Y) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hellandite-(Y) leaves white, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Hellandite-(Y) and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Gadolinite-(Y) is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 5.5).
How to tell apart: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 5.5); luster reads vitreous on Hellandite-(Y) and adamantine on Zircon.
Often found alongside hellandite-(y)
Minerals reported to co-occur with hellandite-(y). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Y)₄Y₂(Al,Fe³⁺)B₄Si₄O₂₀(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 3.7-3.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hellandite-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- Kragerø, Norway
- Tvedestrand, Norway
- Hitterø, Norway
- Bancroft, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where hellandite-(y) typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, zircon in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hellandite-(y)?+
Where is hellandite-(y) found?+
How much is hellandite-(y) worth?+
Is hellandite-(y) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like hellandite-(y)?+
What minerals are found with hellandite-(y)?+
What kind of rock does hellandite-(y) form in?+
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Find hellandite-(y) on the map
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