Lanthanite-(La) is a rare hydrated lanthanum carbonate mineral typically found as a secondary weathering product in rare-earth-rich deposits. It usually appears as delicate, pearly-lustered platy crystals or soft crusts, often requiring careful handling due to its fragility.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareLanthanite Group family

Lanthanite-(La)

Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this lanthanite-(la)?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch lanthanite-(la) with a known reference. Lanthanite-(La) sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lanthanite-(La) leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Lanthanite-(La) typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, pink, yellowish-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, tabular.

Often confused with

Lanthanite-(La) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside lanthanite-(la)

Minerals reported to co-occur with lanthanite-(la). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

Allanite
mineral · Mohs 5.5-6

All properties

Chemical formula: La₂(CO₃)₃·8H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 2.71 g/cm³
Colors: White Pink Yellowish-white
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals, Crusts, Tabular
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Rare Earth Element-rich Veins and Skarns
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find lanthanite-(la)

Classic worldwide localities

Bastnäs, Sweden
Steens Mountain, Oregon, USA
Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in rare earth element-rich veins and skarns country — that is the host setting where lanthanite-(la) typically forms. If you start seeing cerite, bastnäsite, allanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, tabular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify lanthanite-(la)?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, pink, yellowish-white.

Where is lanthanite-(la) found?+

Notable localities include Bastnäs, Sweden; Steens Mountain, Oregon, USA; Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA.

How much is lanthanite-(la) worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like lanthanite-(la)?+

Lanthanite-(La) is most often confused with Lanthanite-(Nd), Lanthanite-(Ce). A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with lanthanite-(la)?+

Lanthanite-(La) commonly co-occurs with Cerite, Bastnäsite, Allanite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lanthanite-(la) form in?+

Lanthanite-(La) typically forms in rare earth element-rich veins and skarns. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lanthanite-(la) used for?+

Lanthanite-(La) is used in collector.

Find lanthanite-(la) on the map

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