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'''Bastnasite''' (sometimes spelled ''bastnaesite'') is one of the more common rare earth carbonate minerals. It is an important ore for the production of [[cerium]], [[lanthanum]] and [[yttrium]].
Although originally named for the first location it was found, Bastnas Mine, Riddarhyttan, Vastmanland, [[Sweden]], subsequent deposits have been located in [[Norway]], [[Malawi]], [[Mongolia]], [[Canada]] and [[California]].
==Mineral Information==
* Empirical Formula: Ce(CO<sub>3</sub>)F
* Color is pale white, tan, gray, brown, yellow and pink.
* Luster is pearly, vitreous, greasy to dull.
* Transparency: Crystals are translucent to opaque.
* Crystal System is hexagonal.
* Cleavage is distinct in one direction (basal) and poor in three directions (prismatic).
* Fracture is uneven.
* Hardness is 4 to 4.5.
* Specific Gravity is 4.7 to 5.0 (well above average) <ref>http://www.galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/bastnasi/bastnasi.htm</ref>
==External Links==
[http://webmineral.com/data/Bastnasite-(Ce).shtml Webmineral's Page on Bastnasite]
==References==
<small><references/></small>
[[Category:Minerals]]