These yellow gasparites were collected on 7/8/2015. In this photo the upper crystal is a bit more in focus. Locality: Beryllium Virgin claim, Paramount Canyon, Sierra Co., New Mexico, USA. — Photo: Jerry Cone · CC0
Gasparite-(Ce)
Gasparite-(Ce) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula Ce(AsO₄).
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/n). It is a member of the Monazite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4.5–5; specific gravity 5.63; White streak; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Gsp-Ce, IMA status: approved, named in 1986.
Found in fissures, replacing synchysite, formed by amphibolite-grade metamorphism of metasedimentary rocks (Pizzo Cervandone, Italy).
It is found associated with Synchysite-(Ce), chernovite, cafarsite, rutile, anatase, magnetite, hematite (Pizzo Cervandone, Italy).
The mineral was named to honor Giovanni Gaspari, mineral collector of Crodo, Italy, who first found the mineral, and for its dominant cerium content.