Monazite-(La)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Monazite-(La)
Formula:
La(PO4)
Hardness:
5 - 5½
Specific Gravity:
5.17 - 5.27
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
From the Greek μουάζειυ "to be solitary" in allusion to the rarity of its presence in the first known localities, plus "La" as the La-dominant member of the Monazite series.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2752
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2752:2
IMA Classification of Monazite-(La)
Approved
Classification of Monazite-(La)
8.AD.50
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
38.4.3.2
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
4 : AXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
4 : AXO4
19.9.4
19 : Phosphates
9 : Phosphates of rare earths and Sc
19 : Phosphates
9 : Phosphates of rare earths and Sc
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mnz-La | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Mnz | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Mnz | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Mnz | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Mnz | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Monazite-(La)
Hardness:
5 - 5½ on Mohs scale
Density:
5.17 - 5.27 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.13 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Monazite-(La)
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.77 - 1.8 nβ = 1.7705 - 1.802 nγ = 1.83 - 1.85
2V:
Measured: 12° , Calculated: 12° to 24°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.050 - 0.060
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
extreme
Chemistry of Monazite-(La)
Mindat Formula:
La(PO4)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Monazite-(La)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.84 Å, b = 7.07 Å, c = 6.45 Å
β = 103.85°
β = 103.85°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.967 : 1 : 0.912
Unit Cell V:
302.85 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Space group P21/n.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001699 | Monazite-(La) | Ni Y, Hughes J M, Mariano A N (1995) Crystal chemistry of the monazite and xenotime structures La(PO4) American Mineralogist 80 21-26 |  | 1995 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 9 : Lava/xenolith minerals (hornfels, sanidinite facies) | |
| Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust | >4.4-3.0 |
| 19 : Granitic intrusive rocks | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Monazite-(La)
Other Language Names for Monazite-(La)
Dutch:Monaziet-(La)
German:Monazit-(La)
Russian:Монацит-(La)
Simplified Chinese:镧独居石
Traditional Chinese:鑭獨居石
Relationship of Monazite-(La) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Monazite Group:
| Monazite-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) | Mon. 2/m |
| Monazite-(Gd) | Gd(PO4) | Mon. |
| Monazite-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) | Mon. 2/m |
| Monazite-(Sm) | Sm(PO4) | Mon. 2/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 11 photos of Monazite-(La) associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 10 photos of Monazite-(La) associated with Cerianite-(Ce) | (Ce4+,Th)O2 |
| 9 photos of Monazite-(La) associated with Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
| 9 photos of Monazite-(La) associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 5 photos of Monazite-(La) associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Monazite-(La) associated with Arisite-(Ce) | NaCe2(CO3)2[F2x(CO3)1-x]F |
| 2 photos of Monazite-(La) associated with Thorite | Th(SiO4) |
| 2 photos of Monazite-(La) associated with Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O |
| 2 photos of Monazite-(La) associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Monazite-(La) associated with Tuperssuatsiaite | Fe3+Fe3+2(Na◻)◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AD. | Unnamed (Monoclinic polymorph of ximengite) | Bi(PO4) |
| 8.AD. | Keplerite | Ca9(Ca0.5◻0.5)Mg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AD. | Mazorite | Ba3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AD. | Deynekoite | Ca9◻Fe3+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AD. | Monazite-(Gd) | Gd(PO4) |
| 8.AD.05 | Nahpoite | Na2(PO3OH) |
| 8.AD.10 | Weilite | Ca(HAsO4) |
| 8.AD.10 | Švenekite | Ca(H2AsO4)2 |
| 8.AD.10 | Monetite | Ca(PO3OH) |
| 8.AD.15 | Archerite | (K,NH4)(H2PO4) |
| 8.AD.15 | Biphosphammite | NH4(H2PO4) |
| 8.AD.20 | Phosphammite | (NH4)2(PO3OH) |
| 8.AD.25 | Buchwaldite | NaCa(PO4) |
| 8.AD.30 | Schultenite | Pb(HAsO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Dreyerite | Bi(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(La) | La(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Anningite-(Ce) | (Ca0.5Ce4+0.5)(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Pretulite | Sc(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(Ce) | Ce(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(Y) | Y(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Xenotime-(Yb) | Yb(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Chernovite-(Ce) | (Ce,Y)(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Xenotime-(Gd) | Gd(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Chernovite-(Y) | Y(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Xenotime-(Y) | Y(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(Nd) | Nd(VO4) |
| 8.AD.40 | Pucherite | Bi(VO4) |
| 8.AD.45 | Ximengite | Bi(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | UM2005-35-VO:CaFePSiTh | (Th,Ca)(VO4,SiO4,PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Rooseveltite | Bi(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Gasparite-(Ce) | Ce(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(Sm) | Sm(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Gasparite-(La) | La(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Cheralite | CaTh(PO4)2 |
| 8.AD.55 | Tetrarooseveltite | Bi(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.60 | Chursinite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+2[AsO4]2 |
| 8.AD.65 | Clinobisvanite | Bi(VO4) |
| 8.AD.70 | Gurimite | Ba3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AD.75 | Picaite | NaCa[AsO3OH][AsO2(OH)2] |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Monazite-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2752.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Monazite-(La)
Localities for Monazite-(La)
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Graham et al. (2018) |
Australia | |
| Trans. Inst. Mining Metall. (Sect. B:Applied Earth Sci.) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Bernhard (2011) |
| Kolitsch (2014) |
Bolivia | |
| Sidki Rius (2017) |
| - (See comments above.) |
Brazil | |
| F. Zaccarini (2006) |
| Santos et al. (2018) |
| Menezes Filho et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
| Bilal (2013) |
| Azzi (2019) |
| Azzi (2019) | |
Burundi | |
| Ntiharirizwa et al. (2018) |
Canada | |
| Canadian Mineralogist 49 |
| Nadeau et al. (2016) |
China | |
| Yiping Chen et al. (2007) |
| Shao et al. (2023) |
Croatia | |
| Biljana Starijaš Mayer (2014) |
Czech Republic | |
| Scharm +7 other references |
| Scharm et al. (2000) |
DR Congo | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy. |
Finland | |
| Lahti et al. (2009) |
France | |
| Devismes (1978) |
| |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2000) |
| in the collection of Christof Schäfer |
Greece | |
| Uwe Kolitsch (SEM-EDS analyses, to be published) |
Italy | |
| Bracco et al. (2012) |
Japan | |
| Imaoka et al. (2024) |
| Nishio-Hamane et al. (2013) |
Kazakhstan (TL) | |
| Pekov (1998) |
Madagascar | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Malawi | |
| |
| Dowman et al. (2017) | |
Namibia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2011) +2 other references |
Poland | |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD & pXRF data (paper in preparation) +1 other reference |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu (2006) |
Russia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2013) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2020) +1 other reference |
| Попова et al. (2019) |
| Попова et al. (2019) | |
| Попова et al. (2019) | |
| Попова et al. (2019) |
| Nishanbaev et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Yakovenchuk et al. (2010) | |
| Chukanov et al. (2005) |
| I.V. Pekov analytical data | |
| Pekov (2000) |
| Pekov (2000) | |
| Kovalev et al. (2023) |
South Africa | |
| Mitchell et al. (2004) |
Sweden | |
| Jonsson (2020) |
Tanzania | |
| R.L. Rudnick et al. |
UK | |
| Betterton (1996) |
USA | |
| Adams (2017) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| |
| Hanson et al. (1999) |
| Thomas Buchholz | |
| Hanson et al. (1999) |
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Pegmatite No. 47, Lepkhe-Nel'm Mt, Seidozero Lake, Lovozersky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia