Rhabdophane-(Nd) is a rare secondary phosphate mineral typically found as earthy crusts or radial aggregates in pegmatites and hydrothermal deposits. Collectors should look for its characteristic pinkish or yellowish coatings on other phosphate minerals, noting its weak radioactivity.
Is this rhabdophane-(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 rhabdophane-(nd) with a known reference. Rhabdophane-(Nd) sits at Mohs 3-4, 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: greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, yellowish white, reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: crusts, mammillary, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Rhabdophane-(Nd) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rhabdophane-(nd)
Minerals reported to co-occur with rhabdophane-(nd). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Nd(PO₄)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Greasy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, mammillary, radial aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in hydrothermal base-metal deposits
Where rockhounds find rhabdophane-(nd)
Classic worldwide localities
- Occurs in the Scovill mine, Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, USA
- Fowey Consols mine, Tywardreath, Cornwall, England
- Clara mine, near Oberwolfach, and in the Silberbrünnle mine, near Gengenbach, Black Forest, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in hydrothermal base-metal deposits. If you start seeing lithiophorite, goethite, halloysite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crusts, mammillary, radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rhabdophane-(nd)?+
Where is rhabdophane-(nd) found?+
Is rhabdophane-(nd) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like rhabdophane-(nd)?+
What minerals are found with rhabdophane-(nd)?+
What kind of rock does rhabdophane-(nd) form in?+
What is rhabdophane-(nd) used for?+
Find rhabdophane-(nd) on the map
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