A Geoscience Digital Image Library
A Geoscience Digital Image Library
| Title | Allanite |
|---|---|
| Description | Allanite, called “orthite” in Europe, is one of the most common rare earth minerals. Up to 20% of it's weight may be rare earth elements, making allanite a potentially valuable ore. It is a silicate with the chemical formula of (Ca, Ce,La,Y)2(Al,Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH). It is also slightly radioactive and radiation damage may alter the atomic arrange of allanite crystals (making them metamict) and may also affect minerals around allanite grains. Metamict allanite grains have normal outward appearance but are isotropic, like glass. The sample shown is approximately 9 cm across. |
| Location | Canada ▹ Manitoba. Southeast Manitoba. |
| Photographer | Shannon Heinle. 2002-01-22. |
| Collection | University of North Dakota Mineralogy Collection #1259. |
| Key words | allanite, silicate, radioactive |
| Tech details | 447 KB. Hand specimen. Fujifilm FinePix S1Pro digital camera. |
| GeoDIL number | 2173 |
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