Lanthanite

Lanthanite-(La), Lanthanite-(Nd), Lanthanite-(Ce)
Lanthanite-(La), Lanthanite-(Nd), Lanthanite-(Ce)
	Lanthanite-(Nd) from Mitsukoshi, Hizen-cho, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan.
General
Category	Carbonate minerals
Formula; (repeating unit)	(REE)2(CO3)3·8(H2O)
IMA symbol	Ltn
Strunz classification	5.CC.25
Dana classification	(La): 15.04.02.01 ; (Nd): 15.04.02.02 ; (Ce): 15.04.02.03
Crystal system	Orthorhombic
Crystal class	Dipyramidal (mmm) ; H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group	Pbnb
Unit cell	a = 9.476(4)-9.483(6) ; b = 16.940(8)-16.938(11) ; c = 8.942(4)-8.965(3) [Å], Z = 4
Identification
Color	Pale pink to purple
Crystal habit	Platy
Twinning	Common on {101}
Cleavage	Micaceous, perfect on {101}
Fracture	Uneven
Tenacity	Sectile
Mohs scale hardness	2.5
Luster	Vitreous to pearly
Streak	White
Density	2.78-2.84 (measured), 2.79-2.816 (calculated)
Optical properties	Biaxial (-)
2V angle	58-61° (measured), 60-63.5° (calculated)
References

Lanthanites are a group of isostructural rare earth element (REE) carbonate minerals. This group comprises the minerals lanthanite-(La),^[3]^[4] lanthanite-(Ce),^[5] and lanthanite-(Nd).^[6] 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).^[7] The lanthanite crystal structure consists of layers of 10-fold coordinated REE-oxygen (O) polyhedra and carbonate (CO₃²⁻) groups connected by hydrogen bonds to interlayer water molecules, forming a highly hydrated structure.^[8]

^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
^ Lanthanite on Mindat
^ Haidinger W (1845) Zweite Klasse: Geogenide. II. Ordnung. Baryte. III. Cerebaryt. Lanthanit., in Handbuch der Bestimmenden Mineralogie, Bei Braumüller and Seidel (Wien) 499-506.
^ Nickel E H, Mandarino J A (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature, American Mineralogist 72, 1031-1042.
^ Bevins R E, Rowbotham G, Stephens F S, Turgoose S, Williams P A (1985) Lanthanite-(Ce), (Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)3·8H2O, a new mineral from Wales, U.K.. American Mineralogist 70, 411-413.
^ Roberts A C, Chao G Y, Cesbron F (1980) Lanthanite-(Nd), a new mineral from Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, Geological Survey of Canada Paper 80-1C, 141-142.
^ The Canadian Mineralogist 45 (2007) 1389-1396.
^ Morrison, S. M., Andrade, M. B., Wenz, M. D., Domanik, K. J., & Downs, R. T. (2013). Lanthanite-(Nd), Nd2 (CO3) 3.8 H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online, 69(3), i15-i16. doi:10.1107/S1600536813003164

[1] Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.

[2] Lanthanite on Mindat

[3] Haidinger W (1845) Zweite Klasse: Geogenide. II. Ordnung. Baryte. III. Cerebaryt. Lanthanit., in Handbuch der Bestimmenden Mineralogie, Bei Braumüller and Seidel (Wien) 499-506.

[4] Nickel E H, Mandarino J A (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature, American Mineralogist 72, 1031-1042.

[5] Bevins R E, Rowbotham G, Stephens F S, Turgoose S, Williams P A (1985) Lanthanite-(Ce), (Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)3·8H2O, a new mineral from Wales, U.K.. American Mineralogist 70, 411-413.

[6] Roberts A C, Chao G Y, Cesbron F (1980) Lanthanite-(Nd), a new mineral from Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, Geological Survey of Canada Paper 80-1C, 141-142.

[7] The Canadian Mineralogist 45 (2007) 1389-1396.

[8] Morrison, S. M., Andrade, M. B., Wenz, M. D., Domanik, K. J., & Downs, R. T. (2013). Lanthanite-(Nd), Nd2 (CO3) 3.8 H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online, 69(3), i15-i16. doi:10.1107/S1600536813003164

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