Lanthanite-(Ce) Locality: Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire), Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada FOV 3.4 x 2.3 mm. Via Jean-Pierre Beckerich. MOB coll. Moderate REE absorption lines. — Photo: Modris Baum · Public domain
Lanthanite-(Ce)
Lanthanites are a group of isostructural rare earth element (REE) carbonate minerals. This group comprises the minerals lanthanite-(La), lanthanite-(Ce), and lanthanite-(Nd). This mineral group has the general chemical formula of (REE)2(CO3)3·8(H2O). Lanthanites include La, Ce, and Nd as major elements and often contain subordinate amounts of other REEs including praseodymium (Pr), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu) and dysprosium (Dy).
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Lanthanite-(Ce) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula Ce₂(CO₃)₃·8H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pbnb). It is a member of the Lanthanite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 2.76; White streak; Vitreous to pearly luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Ltn-Ce, IMA status: approved, named in 1983.
A rare secondary mineral typically formed by alteration or weathering from earlier rare-earth-element-bearing minerals.
It is found associated with Allanite-(Ce), cerite-(Ce).
The name refers to its relation to lanthanite-(La), and preponderance of cerium over other rare-earth elements.