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.
Is this lanthanite-(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 lanthanite-(nd) with a known reference. Lanthanite-(Nd) sits at Mohs 2.5-3, 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 to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: encrustations, platy.
Often confused with
Lanthanite-(Nd) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- Nd₂(CO₃)₃(H₂O)₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 2.78-2.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Encrustations, platy
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}; very good on {101}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral typically formed by alteration or weathering from earlier rare-earth-element-bearing minerals
Where rockhounds find lanthanite-(nd)
Classic worldwide localities
- South Mountain, Bethlehem, Lehigh Co., Pennsylvania, USA
- Curitiba, Paraná, at Santa Isabel, São Paulo, and near Morro do Ferro, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Kirigo and Niikoba, Saga Prefecture, Japan
- Pavlovsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral typically formed by alteration or weathering from earlier rare-earth-element-bearing minerals. If you start seeing bastnäsite, allanite, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lanthanite-(nd)?+
Where is lanthanite-(nd) found?+
What rocks look like lanthanite-(nd)?+
What minerals are found with lanthanite-(nd)?+
What kind of rock does lanthanite-(nd) form in?+
What is lanthanite-(nd) used for?+
Find lanthanite-(nd) on the map
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