Wakefieldite-(Y) is a rare yttrium vanadate mineral that typically occurs as small, pale-colored crystals or crusts in pegmatite environments. Collectors usually look for it under magnification as a secondary mineral associated with other rare earth element occurrences in granitic cavities.
Is this wakefieldite-(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 wakefieldite-(y) with a known reference. Wakefieldite-(Y) sits at Mohs ~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: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, light brown, light yellow brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: microscopic prismatic crystals, crusts, coatings.
Often confused with
Wakefieldite-(Y) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Wakefieldite-(Y) and resinous or greasy to vitreous on Cheralite.
How to tell apart: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. ~5).
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Wakefieldite-(Y) leaves white, Monazite-(Ce) leaves grayish white; luster reads vitreous on Wakefieldite-(Y) and resinous, waxy, vitreous to adamantine on Monazite-(Ce).
Often found alongside wakefieldite-(y)
Minerals reported to co-occur with wakefieldite-(y). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Y(VO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 4.21 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic prismatic crystals, crusts, coatings
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In quartz in a zoned granite pegmatite (Evans-Lou quarry, Canada)
Where rockhounds find wakefieldite-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- White Tank Mountains, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA
- Evans-Lou quarry, near Wakefield Lake, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In quartz in a zoned granite pegmatite (Evans-Lou quarry, Canada). If you start seeing hellandite, quartz, kainosite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic prismatic crystals, crusts, coatings. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify wakefieldite-(y)?+
Where is wakefieldite-(y) found?+
Is wakefieldite-(y) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like wakefieldite-(y)?+
What minerals are found with wakefieldite-(y)?+
What kind of rock does wakefieldite-(y) form in?+
What is wakefieldite-(y) used for?+
Find wakefieldite-(y) on the map
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