Wakefieldite-(La) is a rare lanthanum vanadate mineral typically found as small, prismatic crystals within granite pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic tetragonal habit, often associated with other rare-earth minerals and quartz in altered zones of pegmatitic bodies.
Is this wakefieldite-(la)?
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 wakefieldite-(la) with a known reference. Wakefieldite-(La) sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wakefieldite-(La) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wakefieldite-(La) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tan, yellow, brown, white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals, often as microscopic aggregates.
Often confused with
Wakefieldite-(La) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 4-5); luster reads vitreous on Wakefieldite-(La) and adamantine on Zircon.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Wakefieldite-(La) and resinous on Chernovite-(Y).
Often found alongside wakefieldite-(la)
Minerals reported to co-occur with wakefieldite-(la). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- La(VO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 5.5-5.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Acicular Crystals, Often as Microscopic Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100} and {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and association
Where rockhounds find wakefieldite-(la)
Classic worldwide localities
- Wakefield, Quebec, Canada
- Kiwali, DR Congo
- Krušné Hory, Czech Republic
- Various rare-earth deposits in pegmatites
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where wakefieldite-(la) typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, molybdenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to acicular crystals, often as microscopic aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wakefieldite-(la) on the map
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