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 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rhabdophane-(Nd) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rhabdophane-(Nd) typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, white, yellow, gray.
- 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.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Rhabdophane-(Nd) and vitreous on Rhabdophane-(Ce).
How to tell apart: Monazite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3.5); luster reads dull on Rhabdophane-(Nd) and resinous on Monazite.
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
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Mammillary, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Veins, Phosphate-rich Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find rhabdophane-(nd)
Classic worldwide localities
- Chester, Vermont, USA
- Sagåsen, Norway
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Horrsjöberg, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, phosphate-rich sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where rhabdophane-(nd) typically forms. If you start seeing monazite-(ce), pyromorphite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, mammillary, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rhabdophane-(nd)?+
Where is rhabdophane-(nd) found?+
How much is rhabdophane-(nd) worth?+
Is rhabdophane-(nd) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like rhabdophane-(nd)?+
What minerals are found with rhabdophane-(nd)?+
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Find rhabdophane-(nd) on the map
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