Rhabdophane-(Ce) is a rare-earth phosphate mineral typically found as earthy, botryoidal coatings or crusts on other minerals. It is often a secondary mineral resulting from the alteration of primary rare-earth minerals like monazite, and is frequently found in weathered phosphate-rich environments.
Is this rhabdophane-(ce)?
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 rhabdophane-(ce) with a known reference. Rhabdophane-(Ce) sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rhabdophane-(Ce) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rhabdophane-(Ce) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellow, pink, brown, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Rhabdophane-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rhabdophane-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with rhabdophane-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ce,La,Nd)PO₄·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.9-4.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Phosphate Deposits, Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $10-60 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find rhabdophane-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Cornwall, UK
- Catalão, Brazil
- Magnet Cove, USA
- Madagascar
- Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, phosphate deposits, pegmatites country — that is the host setting where rhabdophane-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing limonite, pyromorphite, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rhabdophane-(ce)?+
Where is rhabdophane-(ce) found?+
How much is rhabdophane-(ce) worth?+
Is rhabdophane-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like rhabdophane-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with rhabdophane-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does rhabdophane-(ce) form in?+
What is rhabdophane-(ce) used for?+
Find rhabdophane-(ce) on the map
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