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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]].
| + | Beware the Onion! |
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| − | 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]].
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| − | ==Mineral Information==
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| − | * Empirical Formula: Ce(CO<sub>3</sub>)F
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| − | * Color is pale white, tan, gray, brown, yellow and pink.
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| − | * Luster is pearly, vitreous, greasy to dull.
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| − | * Transparency: Crystals are translucent to opaque.
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| − | * Crystal System is hexagonal.
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| − | * Cleavage is distinct in one direction (basal) and poor in three directions (prismatic).
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| − | * Fracture is uneven.
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| − | * Hardness is 4 to 4.5.
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| − | * Specific Gravity is 4.7 to 5.0 (well above average) <ref>http://www.galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/bastnasi/bastnasi.htm</ref>
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| − | ==External Links==
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| − | [http://webmineral.com/data/Bastnasite-(Ce).shtml Webmineral's Page on Bastnasite]
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| − | ==References==
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| − | <small><references/></small>
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| − | [[Category:Minerals]]
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