Horváthite-(Y) is a rare yttrium-bearing carbonate mineral primarily discovered in the nepheline syenite pegmatites of Mont Saint-Hilaire. Collectors should look for small, tabular, colorless to white crystals often found in association with other rare alkaline minerals in cavities.
Is this horváthite-(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 horváthite-(y) with a known reference. Horváthite-(Y) sits at Mohs 4, 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: colorless, pale yellow, pale beige.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular.
Often confused with
Horváthite-(Y) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside horváthite-(y)
Minerals reported to co-occur with horváthite-(y). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaY(CO₃)F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.58 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular
- Cleavage
- On {100}, very good; on {010}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare, late-forming mineral in an altered pegmatite dike in nepheline syenite, part of an alkalic igneous complex
Where rockhounds find horváthite-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare, late-forming mineral in an altered pegmatite dike in nepheline syenite, part of an alkalic igneous complex. If you start seeing microcline, aegirine, dawsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify horváthite-(y)?+
Where is horváthite-(y) found?+
What rocks look like horváthite-(y)?+
What minerals are found with horváthite-(y)?+
What kind of rock does horváthite-(y) form in?+
What is horváthite-(y) used for?+
Find horváthite-(y) on the map
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