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Bastnäsite-(La)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Bastnäsite-(La)
Formula:
La(CO3)F
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
4.89 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
For the locality at the Bastnäs mines, Riddarhyttan, Skinnskatteberg, Västmanland, Sweden, plus the "-(La)" suffix due to the dominance of lanthanum in the composition.
Type Locality:
Lanthanum analogue of Bastnäsite-(Ce) and Bastnäsite-(Y).
Fluorine analogue of Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La).
Fluorine analogue of Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La).
Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Bastnasite-(La)
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
561
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:561:2
Similar Names
| Bastnäsite | A group of related mineral species | (Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO3)F |
| Bastnäsite-(Ce) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Ce(CO3)F |
| Bastnäsite-(Ce)-Hydroxylbastnäsite-(Ce) Series | A solid-solution series between two end-member minerals | |
| Bastnäsite-(Nd) | A valid IMA mineral species | Nd(CO3)F |
| Bastnäsite-(Y) | A valid IMA mineral species | Y(CO3)F |
IMA Classification of Bastnäsite-(La)
Classification of Bastnäsite-(La)
5.BD.20a
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare earth elements (REE)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare earth elements (REE)
16a.1.1.2
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)(XO3)Zq
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)(XO3)Zq
12.1.9
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Bsn-La | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Bsn | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Bastnäsite-(La)
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Density:
4.89 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bastnäsite-(La)
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.717 nε = 1.818
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.101
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Bastnäsite-(La)
Mindat Formula:
La(CO3)F
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Bastnäsite-(La)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6m2 - Ditrigonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P62c
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.118 Å, c = 9.762 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.371
Unit Cell V:
428.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.55 Å | (8) |
| 2.87 Å | (10) |
| 1.900 Å | (9) |
| 1.301 Å | (10) |
| 1.156 Å | (9) |
| 1.068 Å | (9) |
| 1.039 Å | (9) |
| 1.006 Å | (9) |
Comments:
Sample from Siberia.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Bastnäsite-(La)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Synonyms of Bastnäsite-(La)
Other Language Names for Bastnäsite-(La)
Dutch:Bastnäsiet-(La)
German:Bastnäsit-(La)
Russian:Бастнезит-(La)
Simplified Chinese:氟碳镧石
Traditional Chinese:氟碳鑭石
Relationship of Bastnäsite-(La) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Bastnäsite:
| Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F | Hex. 6m2 : P6c2 |
| Bastnäsite-(Nd) | Nd(CO3)F | Hex. 6m2 : P62c |
| Bastnäsite-(Y) | Y(CO3)F | Hex. 6m2 : P62c |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Allanite-(La) | (CaLa)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 6 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Britholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH |
| 6 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Håleniusite-(La) | (La,Ce)OF |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Cerite-(CeCa) | (Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Ferriallanite-(Ce) | (CaCe)(Fe3+AlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Törnebohmite-(Ce) | Ce2Al(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 3 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
| 3 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Kamphaugite-(Y) | Ca(Y,REE)(CO3)2(OH) · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.BD. | Cordylite-(La) | (Na,Ca)Ba(La,Ce,Sr)2(CO3)4F |
| 5.BD.05 | Cordylite-(Ce) | NaBaCe2(CO3)4F |
| 5.BD.05 | 'Unnamed (Cordylite-like Calcium-Barium-Cerium Carbonate-Fluoride)' | Ca◻Ba2Ce4[CO3]8F2 |
| 5.BD.05 | Lukechangite-(Ce) | Na3Ce2(CO3)4F |
| 5.BD.10 | 'Zhonghuacerite-(Ce)' | Ba2Ce(CO3)3F |
| 5.BD.10 | Kukharenkoite-(Ce) | Ba2Ce(CO3)3F |
| 5.BD.10 | Kukharenkoite-(La) | Ba2(La,Ce,Th)(CO3)3F |
| 5.BD.15 | Cebaite-(Ce) | Ba3Ce2(CO3)5F2 |
| 5.BD.15 | 'Cebaite-(Nd)' | Ba3(Nd,Ce)2(CO3)5F2 |
| 5.BD.18 | Arisite-(Ce) | NaCe2(CO3)2[F2x(CO3)1-x]F |
| 5.BD.18 | Arisite-(La) | NaLa2(CO3)2[F2x(CO3)1-x]F |
| 5.BD.20c | Synchysite-(Ce) | CaCe(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.20c | Synchysite-(Nd) | CaNd(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.20c | Synchysite-(Y) | CaY(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.20a | Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
| 5.BD.20b | Parisite-(Ce) | CaCe2(CO3)3F2 |
| 5.BD.20b | Parisite-(Nd) | Ca(Nd,Ce,La)2(CO3)3F2 |
| 5.BD.20a | Bastnäsite-(Y) | Y(CO3)F |
| 5.BD.20b | Parisite-(La) | CaLa2(CO3)3F2 |
| 5.BD.20d | Röntgenite-(Ce) | Ca2(Ce,La)3(CO3)5F3 |
| 5.BD.20a | Thorbastnäsite | ThCa(CO3)2F2 · 3H2O |
| 5.BD.20a | Hydroxylbastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)(OH) |
| 5.BD.20a | Hydroxylbastnäsite-(Nd) | Nd(CO3)(OH) |
| 5.BD.20c | 'Hydroxylsynchysite-(Ce)' | Ca(Ce,La)(CO3)2(OH) |
| 5.BD.20c | 'Synchysite-(La)' | Ca(La,Nd)(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.20a | Bastnäsite-(Nd) | Nd(CO3)F |
| 5.BD.20a | Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) | (La,Nd,Ce)(CO3)(OH,F) |
| 5.BD.25 | Qaqarssukite-(Ce) | Ba(Ce,REE)(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.25 | Horváthite-(Y) | NaY(CO3)F2 |
| 5.BD.35 | Huanghoite-(Ce) | BaCe(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.35 | Huanghoite-(Nd) | BaNd(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.45 | Bayanoboite-(Y) | Ba2Y(CO3)2F3 |
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.
Internet Links for Bastnäsite-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-561.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
Paratoo copper mine, Paratoo, District Council of Peterborough, South Australia, Australia