Rhabdophane-(La)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Rhabdophane-(La)
Formula:
La(PO4) · H2O
La is almost always replaced by major to minor Ce and/or Nd.
Colour:
Brown, pinkish, yellowish-white
Hardness:
3½
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Originally named scovillite in 1883 after the Scoville ore deposit, Connecticut, USA, the locality where it was discovered. In 1884 it was considered to be a lanthanum variety of the previously described cerium-dominant rhabdophane. In 1987 the suffix/modifier was added to differentiate it from Ce and Nd dominant rhabdophanes. The modifier "-(La)" indicates the predominance of lanthanum over other REE in this species.
This page provides mineralogical data about Rhabdophane-(La).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3398
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3398:1
Similar Names
| Rhabdophane | A synonym | |
| Rhabdophane-(Ce) | A valid IMA mineral species | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O |
| Rhabdophane-(Nd) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Nd(PO4) · H2O |
| Rhabdophane-(Pb) | A synonym of 'Lead-bearing Rhabdophane-(Ce)' | |
| Rhabdophane-(Y) | A valid IMA mineral species | YPO4 · H2O |
IMA Classification of Rhabdophane-(La)
Classification of Rhabdophane-(La)
8.CJ.45
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
40.4.7.2
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2·xH2O
19.9.7
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.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Rha-La | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Rhabdophane-(La)
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Rhabdophane-(La)
Colour:
Brown, pinkish, yellowish-white
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Optical Data of Rhabdophane-(La)
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.654 nε = 1.703
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.049
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Rhabdophane-(La)
Mindat Formula:
La(PO4) · H2O
La is almost always replaced by major to minor Ce and/or Nd.
La is almost always replaced by major to minor Ce and/or Nd.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Rhabdophane-(La)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
622 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P6222
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.03(1) Å, c = 6.41(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.912
Unit Cell V:
274.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Comment:
Space group by analogy with rhabdophane-(Ce).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Rhabdophane-(La)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Incrustations
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Limonitic iron ore deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Rhabdophane-(La)
Rhabdophane (in part)
Scovillite (in part)
Other Language Names for Rhabdophane-(La)
Relationship of Rhabdophane-(La) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Rhabdophane Group:
| Brockite | (Ca,Th,Ce)PO4 · H2O | Hex. 622 : P6222 |
| Grayite | (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4) · H2O | Hex. 622 : P6222 |
| Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O | Trig. 32 : P3121 |
| Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O | Hex. 622 : P6222 |
| Rhabdophane-(Y) | YPO4 · H2O | Hex. 622 : P6222 |
| Tristramite | (Ca,U4+,Fe3+)(PO4,SO4) · 2H2O | Hex. 622 : P6222 |
| 'UM1993-07-PO:CaCeHLa' | (Ca,Ce,La,REE)PO4 · nH2O | Hex. 622 : P6222 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 11 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O |
| 5 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Ussingite | Na2AlSi3O8OH |
| 4 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Ferronordite-(La) | Na3Sr(La,Ce)FeSi6O17 |
| 3 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Ferronordite-(Ce) | Na3SrCeFe2+Si6O17 |
| 2 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 2 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Magnesio-arfvedsonite | NaNa2(Mg4Fe3+)(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Epistolite | (Na◻)Nb2Na3Ti(Si2O7)2O2(OH)2(H2O)4 |
| 2 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
| 2 photos of Rhabdophane-(La) associated with Cerianite-(Ce) | Ce4+O2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CJ. | Airdite | Sr(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Dobšináite | Ca2Ca(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Caesiumpharmacosiderite | CsFe3+4[(AsO4)3(OH)4] · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Jeankempite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CJ.05 | Stercorite | (NH4)Na(PO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Swaknoite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Mundrabillaite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nabaphite | NaBaPO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nastrophite | Na(Sr,Ba)PO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.20 | Haidingerite | CaHAsO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Rhabdophane-(Y) | YPO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Vladimirite | Ca4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.27 | 'Churchite-(Dy)' | (Dy,Sm,Gd,Nd)PO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.30 | Ferrarisite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Fulbrightite | Ca(V4+O)2(As5+O4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Machatschkiite | (Ca,Na)6(AsO4)(HAsO4)3(PO4,SO4) · 15H2O |
| 8.CJ.40 | Rauenthalite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CJ.40 | Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Brockite | (Ca,Th,Ce)PO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Smirnovskite | (Th,Ca)PO4 · nH2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Tristramite | (Ca,U4+,Fe3+)(PO4,SO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Grayite | (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Štěpite | U(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.47 | Vysokýite | U4+[AsO2(OH)2]4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Y) | Y(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Brushite | Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Ardealite | Ca2(PO3OH)(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | 'Churchite-(Nd)' | Nd(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.55 | Mcnearite | NaCa5(AsO4)(HAsO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.60 | Dorfmanite | Na2(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Sincosite | Ca(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Bariosincosite | Ba(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.70 | Catalanoite | Na2(PO3OH) · 8H2O |
| 8.CJ.75 | Guérinite | Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O |
| 8.CJ.85 | Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in HCl.
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 Rhabdophane-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3398.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Rhabdophane-(La)
Reference List:
Dumler, F.L., Skornyakova, K.P., Shul'ga, G.G. (1970) Lanthanum rhabdophane in the weathered mantle on limestones—a new type of rare earth mineralization. International Geology Review, 12 (9) 1140-1145 doi:10.1080/00206817009475334
Bowles, J. F. W., Morgan, D. J. (1984) The composition of rhabdophane. Mineralogical Magazine, 48 (346) 146-148 doi:10.1180/minmag.1984.048.346.23
Nickel, Ernest H., Mandarino, Joseph A. (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature. American Mineralogist, 72 (9-10) 1031-1042
Ondrejka, Martin, Bačík, Peter, Sobocký, Tomáš, Uher, Pavel, Škoda, Radek, Mikuš, Tomáš, Luptáková, Jarmila, Konečný, Patrik (2018) Minerals of the rhabdophane group and the alunite supergroup in microgranite: products of low-temperature alteration in a highly acidic environment from the Velence Hills, Hungary. Mineralogical Magazine, 82 (6) 1277-1300 doi:10.1180/mgm.2018.137
Localities for Rhabdophane-(La)
Showing 28 localities.
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.
Brazil | |
| Menezes (n.d.) |
Burundi | |
| Van Wambeke (1977) |
Canada | |
| HORVÁTH et al. (2000) |
China | |
| Zhao et al. (2022) |
| Wang et al. (2026) |
| Zhang Peishan et al. (1996) | |
| Wang et al. (2024) |
Czech Republic | |
| Matýsek et al. (2025) |
| Matýsek D. (2013) |
France | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection and EDX ... |
| Georges FAVREAU collection + EDX ... |
Germany | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2010) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Castellaro-Kampf |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2023) |
Japan | |
| TAKAI et al. (2012) |
| Takai et al. (2010) | |
Malawi | |
| Guastoni et al. (2009) |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2024) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Makagonov et al. (2023) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2020) |
| Mikhailova et al. (2022) |
| www.excaliburmineral.com |
| Pekov (2000) |
Switzerland | |
| Remo Zanelli et al. (La) |
USA (TL) | |
| Brush et al. (1883) |
| Hanson et al. (1999) |
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Scoville Mine, Salisbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut, USA