Mineral description : Lanthanite

Lanthanite from Bastnäs. The mineral occurs as pearly scales in the middle of the stone.

Another example of lanthanide from Bastnäs. The whole surface is covered in lanthanite.

Mineral class	Calcites : Bastnäsite-Dawsonite group.
Chemical formula	(La,Dy,Ce)2(CO3)3*8H2O
Crystal system	Hexagonal
Habitus	As scales or tabular crystals.
Cleavage
Hardness	2.5-3
Density	2.74
Color	White, yellow or pinkish, transparent.
Streak
Luster	Pearly to dull.
Description
Occurance	As thin flaky layer in cerite ore.
Associates	Cerite
Notes	Type locality is in Bastnäs, Sweden.
Locations	In Bastnäs cerite mine, Riddarhyttan, Västmanland. As thin earthy crusts on cerite. Betlehem, Lehigh Co., Pennsylvania, USA. In oxidized zinc ore.

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