Xenotime
Xenotime is a mineral species in the phosphate group, best known for the yttrium phosphate end member YPO4. The xenotime group forms a solid solution series in which yttrium can be partially or largely replaced by other rare-earth elements such as dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, and others. In practice, xenotime-(Y) denotes the yttrium-dominant end member, while other end members are named as xenotime-(REE) with the dominant rare-earth cation in parentheses.
Xenotime occurs in igneous rocks, particularly granitic pegmatites, and in hydrothermal veins. It is commonly found
Crystallography and appearance: Xenotime crystallizes in the tetragonal system. It typically forms elongated prismatic crystals and
Economy and extraction: Because xenotime concentrates yttrium and other rare-earth elements, it can be an important
Summary: Xenotime is a rare-earth phosphate mineral with a yttrium-dominant end member and a family of rare-earth