Lanthanite-(Nd) is a rare hydrated rare-earth carbonate typically forming delicate, thin platy or tabular crystals. It is often found as a secondary mineral coating other rare-earth minerals in carbonatite complexes and associated hydrothermal environments.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareLanthanite Group family

Lanthanite-(Nd)

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

Is this lanthanite-(nd)?

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-(nd) with a known reference. Lanthanite-(Nd) 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-(Nd) leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Lanthanite-(Nd) typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, pale pink, colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, thin tablets, crusts.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Tengerite-(Y) is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); luster reads pearly on Lanthanite-(Nd) and dull on Tengerite-(Y).

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Often found alongside lanthanite-(nd)

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Nd,La,Ce)₂(CO₃)₃·8H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 2.66 g/cm³
Colors: Pink Pale Pink Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals, Thin Tablets, Crusts
Cleavage: Perfect On {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins in Carbonatites and Rare-earth Element Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find lanthanite-(nd)

Classic worldwide localities

Fen Complex, Norway
Bastnäs, Sweden
Mountain Pass, California, USA
Seal Lake, Labrador, Canada

Field-hunting tip

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

Common questions

How do you identify lanthanite-(nd)?+

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

Where is lanthanite-(nd) found?+

Notable localities include Fen Complex, Norway; Bastnäs, Sweden; Mountain Pass, California, USA; Seal Lake, Labrador, Canada.

How much is lanthanite-(nd) 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-(nd)?+

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

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

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

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

Lanthanite-(Nd) typically forms in hydrothermal veins in carbonatites and rare-earth element deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lanthanite-(nd) used for?+

Lanthanite-(Nd) is used in collector.

Find lanthanite-(nd) on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.