General Information:
Chemical Formula:
(La,Ce,Nd)PO4
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 239.90 gm)
Lanthanum 28.95 % La
Cerium 14.60 % Ce
Thorium 4.84 % Th
Phosphorus 12.91 % P
Neodymium 12.02 % Nd
Oxygen 26.68 % O
Empirical Formula:
La0.5Ce0.25Nd0.2Th0.05(PO4)
Environment:
Granitic pegmatites.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1987
Locality:
Mars Hill, Madison County, North Carolina.
Name Origin:
From the Greek monazeis - "to be alone" in allusion to its isolated crystals and their rarity when first found.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[001] Distinct, [100] Indistinct
Color:
brown, brown, yellowish brown, pink, or yellow.
Density:
4.8 - 5.5, Average = 5.15
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to Subtranslucent
Habits:
Crystalline - Fine - Occurs as well-formed fine sized crystals., Twinning Common - Crystals are usually twinned.,
Hardness:
5-5.5 - Apatite-Knife Blade
Luster:
Adamantine - Resinous
Streak:
grayish white
More details...