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Monazite-(ce)

Monazite-(Ce)

A species of Minerals, Also known as Eremite, Mengite (of Brooke)

Monazite-(Ce) is the most common representative of the monazite group. It is the cerium-dominant analogue of monazite-(La), monazite-(Nd), and monazite-(Sm). It is also the phosphorus analogue of gasparite-(Ce). 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.

Hardness
Hardness:

5 - 5.5

Density
Density:

5.26 g/cm³

General Info About Monazite-(ce)

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Physical Properties of Monazite-(ce)

Colors
Commonly reddish brown to brown; shades of green to brown, yellow brown, rarely nearly white; yellow, colourless in transmitted light.
Streak
White, faintly coloured.
Hardness
5 - 5.5 , Soft
Density
5.26 g/cm³, Obviously Heavy Weight
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Chemical Properties of Monazite-(ce)

Formula
Ce(PO4)
Always contains major to minor amounts of other REE (Nd, La, Sm, ...) replacing Ce. Also often contains trace amounts of U and Th (coupled with Ca).
Elements listed
Ce, O, P

Characteristics of Monazite-(ce)

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Common Questions People Also Ask

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