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bastnäesiteCe

Bastnäsite-(Ce) is a rare-earth carbonate-fluoride mineral, the cerium-dominant member of the bastnäsite group. Its idealized chemical formula is (Ce,La,Nd,Pr)CO3F, with cerium typically the most abundant rare earth element in its composition. The mineral was named after Bastnäset, Sweden, the type locality.

Crystal structure and appearance: Bastnäsite-(Ce) crystallizes in the hexagonal system and commonly occurs as tabular to

Occurrence and associations: It forms in granitic and alkaline igneous rocks, and in hydrothermal veins and

Distribution and economic importance: Notable localities include Bastnäset (type locality) in Sweden, Mountain Pass in California,

Notes: The suffix (Ce) indicates cerium is the dominant REE among substitutions by La, Nd, Pr. The

prismatic
crystals
or
earthy
masses.
It
has
a
vitreous
luster,
a
pale
yellow
to
brown
color
range,
and
a
hardness
of
4
to
4.5
on
the
Mohs
scale.
Specific
gravity
is
about
4.5
to
4.8.
Cleavage
is
indistinct.
carbonatite
deposits,
often
together
with
fluorite,
quartz,
xenotime,
monazite,
and
other
REE
minerals.
Bayan
Obo
in
China,
and
other
carbonatite-related
deposits.
Bastnäsite-(Ce)
is
a
key
source
of
cerium
and
other
light
REEs
and
has
historically
been
an
important
ore
mineral
for
REE
production.
name
Bastnäsite-(Ce)
contrasts
with
bastnäsite-(La),
bastnäsite-(Nd),
and
related
varieties.