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Rare Earth Minerals

Thursday, 31 August 2023 12:30 PM

Rare Earth Minerals are those minerals which contain a rare earth element such as yttrium, lanthanum, cerium etc. There are 17 REE's all together and each are used in high tech applications such as computers, cell phones, and televisions to name just a few.

SOLD

Calkinsite-(Ce)

with Burbankite - #BAC62392

Details
Data
Provenance
Resources

Locality: Big Sandy Creek, Bearpaw Mts., Hill Co., Montana, United States
Formula: Ce₂(CO₃)₃·4H₂O
Availability: Sold
Size: 2.1 x 1.5 x 1.3 cm - Thumbnail
Tagged: carbonate , REE mineral

Yellow anhedral masses of Calkinsite-(Ce) with brown Burbankite. I am not sure what the white crystals are.

Calkinsite-(Ce)

Formula: Ce₂(CO₃)₃·4H₂O
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Cleavage: Perfect, Distinct, None
Color: light yellow
Class: Orthorhombic - Disphenoidal
Hardness: 2.5

Collection: William & Anne Cook Collection

Mineralpedia: View Calkinsite-(Ce)
On Dakota Matrix: Previously Sold Calkinsite-(Ce)
On Dakota Matrix: Other Available Calkinsite-(Ce)
WebMineral: View Calkinsite-(Ce)
Mindat: View Calkinsite-(Ce)

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Decrespignyite-(Y)

#59806

Details
Data
Provenance
Resources

Locality: Paratoo Cu mine, Mt Lofty Ranges, South Australia, Australia
Formula: Y₄Cu(CO₃)₄Cl(OH)₅·2H₂O
Availability: Sold
Size: 3 x 3.5 x 1.6 cm - Miniature
Tagged: carbonate , copper , REE

Bright sky blue globular crystal aggregtes to 0.5mm and as large patches, veinlets, and crusts. Decrespignyite-(Y) is a yttrium - copper bearing REM and a carbonate. It is according to Mindat composed of individual tiny pseudohexagonal, often curved platelets. It is found at only one locality worldwide.

As noted by the mineral name, Decrespignyite-(Y), contains the rare-earth element yttrium. Major applications of yttrium are extensive and include fluorescent lamps, phosphor compounds in computer monitirs, lasers, lighting applications, abrasives, bearings, and high-temperature alloys amongst others. Recent cost for yttrium oxide in 2019 was $14/lb down from $65/1b in 2011. The main source for yttrium is China, but worldwide reserves are found in Australia, Brazil, and India.

Decrespignyite-(Y)

Formula: Y₄Cu(CO₃)₄Cl(OH)₅·2H₂O
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Crystal Habit: Efflorescences, Globular
Cleavage: None, None, None
Luster: Vitreous - Pearly
Color: intense royal blue, turquoise blue
Streak: pale blue
Class: Monoclinic
Hardness: 4

Mineralpedia: View Decrespignyite-(Y)
On Dakota Matrix: Previously Sold Decrespignyite-(Y)
On Dakota Matrix: Other Available Decrespignyite-(Y)
WebMineral: View Decrespignyite-(Y)
Mindat: View Decrespignyite-(Y)

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Dissakisite-(La)

with Bastnesite-(La) - #BAC62347

Details
Data
Provenance
Resources

Locality: Mochalin Log, Kyshtym, South Urals, Russia
Formula: CaLaAl₂MgSi₃O₁₂(OH)
Availability: Sold
Size: 0.8 x 1 x 0.3 cm - Thumbnail
Tagged: REE mineral

Black to brown resinous mass of undifferentiated Dissakisite-(La) and Bastnasite-(La). Dissakisite-(La) is found at three localities worldwide and is a member of the Allanite group.