Monazite-(Nd)
Monazite-(Nd) is a relatively rare representative of the monazite group, with neodymium being the dominant rare earth element in its structure. This variety of monazite is typically colored bright rose-red. It is the neodymium analogue of monazite-(Ce), monazite-(La), and monazite-(Sm). The group contains simple rare earth phosphate minerals with the general formula of ATO4, where A = Ce, La, Nd, or Sm (or, rarely, Bi), and B = P or, rarely, As. The A site may also bear Ca and Th.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Monazite-(Nd) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Nd(PO₄).
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 5–5.5; specific gravity 5.43; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Mnz-Nd, IMA status: approved, named in 1986.
Found in fissures in aplitic veins through white-mica gneiss (Pta. Glogstafel, Italy); replacing brindleyite in bauxite (Marmara deposit, Greece); in volcanic-associated marine cherts (Kokšı́n, Czech Republic).
It is found associated with Rutile, xenotime, gadolinite, bastnäsite, allanite, monazite-(Ce) (Pta. Glogstafel, Italy).
The name refers to the member of the monazite group with dominant neodymium.