Shabaite-(Nd) is an extremely rare carbonate mineral first discovered in the Katanga region of the Congo. It typically forms delicate, yellow, platy crystals that are often found associated with other rare earth carbonates and secondary uranium minerals.
Is this shabaite-(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 shabaite-(nd) with a known reference. Shabaite-(Nd) sits at Mohs 2.5, 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: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale greenish yellow, light yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular.
Often confused with
Shabaite-(Nd) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Shabaite-(Nd) leaves white, Astrophyllite leaves golden; luster reads pearly on Shabaite-(Nd) and submetallic, pearly, greasy on Astrophyllite.
How to tell apart: Bastnäsite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5); luster reads pearly on Shabaite-(Nd) and vitreous to greasy on Bastnäsite.
Often found alongside shabaite-(nd)
Minerals reported to co-occur with shabaite-(nd). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Nd₂Ca[(UO₂)(CO₃)₃](CO₃)₂(H₂O)₁₀.₅
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.13 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Fluorescence
- Bright white or pale yellow under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a uranium-bearing Cu–Co deposit
Where rockhounds find shabaite-(nd)
Classic worldwide localities
- Kamoto-East Cu–Co mine, five km west of Kolwezi, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a uranium-bearing Cu–Co deposit. If you start seeing uraninite, uranophane, kamotoite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify shabaite-(nd)?+
Where is shabaite-(nd) found?+
Is shabaite-(nd) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like shabaite-(nd)?+
What minerals are found with shabaite-(nd)?+
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Find shabaite-(nd) on the map
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