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 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wakefieldite-(Y) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wakefieldite-(Y) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, tan, white.
- 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: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 4-5); luster reads vitreous on Wakefieldite-(Y) and adamantine on Zircon.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Wakefieldite-(Y) and resinous 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
- 4-5
- Density
- 4.5-5.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Prismatic Crystals, Crusts, Coatings
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wakefieldite-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- Wakefield, Quebec, Canada
- St. Peters Dome, Colorado, USA
- Hotazel, South Africa
- Pfarrwerfen, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where wakefieldite-(y) typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic prismatic crystals, crusts, coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify wakefieldite-(y)?+
Where is wakefieldite-(y) found?+
How much is wakefieldite-(y) worth?+
What rocks look like wakefieldite-(y)?+
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Find wakefieldite-(y) on the map
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