Rhabdophane-(Y) is a rare yttrium phosphate mineral that typically forms as delicate, radiating fibrous coatings or crusts. It is most often found as a secondary mineral in oxidized zones of pegmatites or hydrothermal environments. Collectors prize its unique, soft luster and complex chemical composition.
Is this rhabdophane-(y)?
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-(y) with a known reference. Rhabdophane-(Y) 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-(Y) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rhabdophane-(Y) typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, yellow, pink, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: crusts, globular, radiating fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Rhabdophane-(Y) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Rhabdophane-(Y) and vitreous on Rhabdophane-(Ce).
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Rhabdophane-(Y) and vitreous on Churchite-(Y).
How to tell apart: Monazite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3.5); luster reads pearly on Rhabdophane-(Y) and resinous on Monazite.
Often found alongside rhabdophane-(y)
Minerals reported to co-occur with rhabdophane-(y). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Y,Gd,Dy)PO₄·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.9-4.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Globular, Radiating Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Granite Pegmatites, Secondary Phosphate Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micro-mounts or small specimens
Where rockhounds find rhabdophane-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- Cornwall, England
- Norway
- USA (New Hampshire)
- France
- China
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, granite pegmatites, secondary phosphate deposits country — that is the host setting where rhabdophane-(y) typically forms. If you start seeing pyromorphite, apatite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, globular, radiating fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rhabdophane-(y)?+
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How much is rhabdophane-(y) worth?+
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What rocks look like rhabdophane-(y)?+
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Find rhabdophane-(y) on the map
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