Lanthanite

Formula:  (Ce,La,Nd)₂(CO₃)₃ ^. 8H₂O

Origin of name:  From composition

Crystal system:  Orthorhombic

Crystal class:  2/m 2/m 2/m

Twinning:  On {101}

Unit cell: a = 9.00 Ǻ, b = 9.58 Ǻ, c = 17.22 Ǻ

Colour:  Colourless, white, yellowish, pinkish

Diaphaneity: 

Luster:  Pearly

Habit:  Crystals lath-like, platy to thick  tabular; scales; granular to earthy

Hardness:  2.5 to 3

Specific gravity:  2.69 to 2.74

Cleavage:  1; {010} micaceous

Tenacity: 

Streak: 

Synonyms/varieties:  Coutinite [lanthanite-(Nd)]

Comments:  Three distinct species with the extensions -(Ce), -(La) and -(Nd) indicating the predominant rare earth cation in the formula