Lanthanite-(La)
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Formula:
(La,Ce)2(CO3)3 · 8H2O
Colour:
White, yellowish, pinkish, transparent.
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing lanthanide series elements with lanthanum (La) dominant.
Isostructural with:
Note on TL:
Lanthanite that was first described from Bastnäs, Sweden by Berzelius (1824). In the mid-80s Bastnäs lanthanite was assumed to be La-dominant, and thus named as lanthanite-(La). However Atencio et al. (1989) reexaminates lanthanite from Bastnäs, Sweden and the study indicates that the mineral (at last in the sample studied) is Ce- rather than La-dominant. They also discusses the first more complete chemical analysis of lanthanite from Bastnäs, made by Lindstöm in 1910, which not gave the true content of La, since all REE's was not chemically differentiated at that time.
Lanthanite that was first described from Bastnäs, Sweden by Berzelius (1824). In the mid-80s Bastnäs lanthanite was assumed to be La-dominant, and thus named as lanthanite-(La). However Atencio et al. (1989) reexaminates lanthanite from Bastnäs, Sweden and the study indicates that the mineral (at last in the sample studied) is Ce- rather than La-dominant. They also discusses the first more complete chemical analysis of lanthanite from Bastnäs, made by Lindstöm in 1910, which not gave the true content of La, since all REE's was not chemically differentiated at that time.
Classification of Lanthanite-(La)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
5/D.03-20
5.CC.25
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
C : With rare earth elements (REE)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
C : With rare earth elements (REE)
15.4.2.1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 1:1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 1:1
11.8.2
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
Physical Properties of Lanthanite-(La)
Pearly
Colour:
White, yellowish, pinkish, transparent.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Optical Data of Lanthanite-(La)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.520 nβ = 1.587 nγ = 1.613
2V:
Measured: 63° , Calculated: 60°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.093

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Chemical Properties of Lanthanite-(La)
Formula:
(La,Ce)2(CO3)3 · 8H2O
IMA Formula:
La2(CO3)3 · 8H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Lanthanite-(La)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Morphology:
Crystals platy to thick tabular {010}. Lathlike at times due to extension of [001]. Fine granular to earthy.
Twinning:
On {101} as twin and composition plane.
Type Occurrence of Lanthanite-(La)
Synonyms of Lanthanite-(La)
Other Language Names for Lanthanite-(La)
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Allanite-(Ce) | 5 photos of Lanthanite-(La) associated with Allanite-(Ce) on mindat.org. |
Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) | 1 photo of Lanthanite-(La) associated with Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) on mindat.org. |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
5.CC.05 | Donnayite-(Y) | NaCaSr3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
5.CC.05 | Ewaldite | Ba(Na,Ca,Y,Ce,K)(CO3)2 · 2.6H2O | Hex. 6mm |
5.CC.05 | Mckelveyite-(Nd) | (Ba,Sr)(Nd,Ce,La)(CO3)2 · 4-10H2O | Tric. |
5.CC.05 | Mckelveyite-(Y) | NaCaBa3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
5.CC.05 | Weloganite | Na2Sr3Zr(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
5.CC.10 | Tengerite-(Y) | Y2(CO3)3 · 2-3H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm |
5.CC.15 | Kimuraite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Nd)2(CO3)4 · 6H2O | Orth. |
5.CC.15 | Lokkaite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Gd,Nd,Dy)4(CO3)7 · 9H2O | Orth. |
5.CC.20 | Shomiokite-(Y) | Na3Y[CO3]3 · 3H2O | Orth. |
5.CC.25 | Calkinsite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)2(CO3)3 · 4H2O | Orth. |
5.CC.25 | Lanthanite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)3 · 8H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
5.CC.25 | Lanthanite-(Nd) | (Nd,La)2(CO3)3 · 8H2O | Orth. |
5.CC.30 | Adamsite-(Y) | NaY[CO3]2 · 6H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
5.CC.35 | Decrespignyite-(Y) | Cu(Y,REE)4(CO3)4(OH)5Cl · 2H2O | Mon. |
5.CC.40 | Galgenbergite-(Ce) | Ca(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)4 · H2O | Tric. |
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)
15.4.2.2 | Lanthanite-(Nd) | (Nd,La)2(CO3)3 · 8H2O | Orth. |
15.4.2.3 | Lanthanite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)3 · 8H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
11.8.1 | Calkinsite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)2(CO3)3 · 4H2O | Orth. |
11.8.3 | Lanthanite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)3 · 8H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
11.8.4 | Lanthanite-(Nd) | (Nd,La)2(CO3)3 · 8H2O | Orth. |
11.8.5 | Hydroxylbastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)(OH) | Hex. 6 : P6 |
11.8.6 | Hydroxylbastnäsite-(Nd) | Nd(CO3)(OH) | Hex. |
11.8.7 | Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) | (La,Nd,Ce)(CO3)(OH,F) | Hex. |
11.8.8 | Rémondite-(Ce) | Na3(Ce,La,Ca,Na,Sr)3(CO3)5 | Mon. 2 : P21 |
11.8.9 | Tengerite-(Y) | Y2(CO3)3 · 2-3H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm |
11.8.10 | Kimuraite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Nd)2(CO3)4 · 6H2O | Orth. |
11.8.11 | Lokkaite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Gd,Nd,Dy)4(CO3)7 · 9H2O | Orth. |
11.8.12 | Calcioancylite-(Nd) | Ca(Nd,La,Ce)(CO3)2(OH).H2O | Mon. m : Pm |
11.8.13 | Calcioancylite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca,Sr)CO3(OH,H2O) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
11.8.14 | Burbankite | (Na,Ca)3(Sr,Ba,Ce)3(CO3)5 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
11.8.15 | Khanneshite | (Na,Ca)3(Ba,Sr,Ce,Ca)3(CO3)5 | Hex. |
11.8.16 | Donnayite-(Y) | NaCaSr3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
11.8.17 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 | Orth. mm2 |
11.8.18 | Ancylite-(Ce) | CeSr(CO3)2(OH) · H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
11.8.19 | Ewaldite | Ba(Na,Ca,Y,Ce,K)(CO3)2 · 2.6H2O | Hex. 6mm |
11.8.20 | Mckelveyite-(Y) | NaCaBa3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
11.8.21 | Sahamalite-(Ce) | (Mg,Fe)(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)4 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Lanthanite-(La)
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Berzelius (1824) Svenska Vetenskapsakademien, Stockholm, Handlingar: 134 (as Kohlensaures Cereroxydul).
Berzelius, J. (1825) Ueber die Veränderungen in dem chemischen Mineral-Systeme, Kohlensaures Cereroxydul. Taschenbuch für die gesammte Mineralogie mit Hinsicht auf die neuesten Entdeckungen: 19: 193-218 (as Kohlensaures Cereroxydul).
Hisinger, W. (1826) Versuch einer mineralogischen Geographie von Schweden. Translated by F. Wöhler. Leipzig: 144 (as Kohlensaures Ceroxydul).
Dana, J.D. (1837) System of Mineralogy, 1st. edition, New Haven: 206 (as Carbonate of Cerium).
Beudant, F.S. (1832), Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, second edition, 2 volumes: 2: 354 (Carbocérine).
Hartman (1843) Min.: 2: 816 (as Hydrocerit).
Dufrénoy, A. (1845) Traité de minéralogie, Vol. 2: 377 (as Cérium carbonaté).
Haidinger W (1845) Zweite Klasse: Geogenide. II. Ordnung. Baryte. III. Cerebaryt. Lanthanit. in Handbuch der Bestimmenden Mineralogie, Bei Braumüller and Seidel (Wien): 499-506 (as Lanthanit).
Glocker, E.F. (1847) Generum et specierum mineralien secundum ordines naturals digestorum synopsis. Halle: 248 (as Hydrolanthanite).
Blake (1853) American Journal of Science: 16: 228 (as Crystallized Carbonate of Lanthanum).
Smith (1854) American Journal of Science: 18: 378.
Genth (1857) American Journal of Science: 23: 425.
von Lang (1863) Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: 25: 43.
Flink (1910) Arkiv för Kemi, Mineralogi och Geologi, Stockholm: 3: 165.
Lindström (1910) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 32: 214.
Goldschmidt, V. (1913) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text, vol. 5: 119.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 241-243.
Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie (1979): 102: 343.
Atencio, D., Bevins, R. E., Fleischer, M., Williams, C. T., Williams, P. A. (1989) Revision of the lanthanite group and new data for specimens from Bastnäs, Sweden, and Bethlehem, USA. Mineralogical Magazine: 53: 639-642
Internet Links for Lanthanite-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2326.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Lanthanite-(La)
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| G. Niedermayr, F. Brandstätter (1993): 904. Adular, Allanit-(Ce), Anatas, Ankerit, Aragonit, Calcit, Chalkopyrit, Dolomit, Galenit, Lanthanit, Pyrit, Pyrrhotin, Sphalerit und andere Mineralien aus dem Falkenbergtunnel in Klagenfurt, Kärnten. Pp. 269-272 in NIEDERMAYR, G., F. BRANDSTÄTTER, B. MOSER, W. H. PAAR, W. POSTL, J. TAUCHER & H.-P. BOJAR (1993): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich XIIL. Carinthia II, 183./103.: 265-290. |
Brazil | |
| Rocks& Min. (Jan.2000) |
| Type Mineralogy of Brazil, Daniel Atencio |
| Type Mineralogy of Brazil, Daniel Atencio |
Canada | |
| Pavel Kartashov analytical data 2011, Reiner Mielke specimens |
Japan | |
| Miyawaki, R., Matsubara, S., Yokoyama, K., Takeuchi, K., Terada, Y., & Nakai, I. (2000). Kozoite-(Nd), Nd (CO3)(OH), a new mineral in an alkali olivine basalt from Hizen-cho, Saga Prefecture, Japan. American Mineralogist, 85(7-8), 1076-1081. |
Norway | |
| Nordrum, F. S. (2007): Nyfunn av mineraler i Norge 2006-2007. STEIN 34 (2), 14-26 |
Sweden (TL) | |
| Haidinger W (1845) Zweite Klasse: Geogenide. II. Ordnung. Baryte. III. Cerebaryt. Lanthanit. in Handbuch der Bestimmenden Mineralogie, Bei Braumüller and Seidel (Wien): 499-506; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 242. |
USA | |
| "Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 14, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997 |
| Dana 6: 767; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 242. |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 242. |
| Rocks & Minerals: 6: 26; Rocks & Minerals: 10: 33-36, 58. |
| Johannes Swarts collection |
Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil