Bastnäsite-(La)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Bastnäsite-(La)
Formula:
La(CO3)F
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
4.89 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
For the locality at the Bastnäs mines, Riddarhyttan, Skinnskatteberg, Västmanland, Sweden, plus the "-(La)" suffix due to the dominance of lanthanum in the composition.
Type Locality:
Lanthanum analogue of Bastnäsite-(Ce) and Bastnäsite-(Y).
Fluorine analogue of Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La).
Fluorine analogue of Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La).
Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Bastnasite-(La)
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
561
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:561:2
Similar Names
| Bastnäsite | A group of related mineral species | (Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO3)F |
| Bastnäsite-(Ce) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Ce(CO3)F |
| Bastnäsite-(Ce)-Hydroxylbastnäsite-(Ce) Series | A solid-solution series between two end-member minerals | |
| Bastnäsite-(Nd) | A valid IMA mineral species | Nd(CO3)F |
| Bastnäsite-(Y) | A valid IMA mineral species | Y(CO3)F |
IMA Classification of Bastnäsite-(La)
Classification of Bastnäsite-(La)
5.BD.20a
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare earth elements (REE)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare earth elements (REE)
16a.1.1.2
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)(XO3)Zq
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)(XO3)Zq
12.1.9
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Bsn-La | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Bsn | 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 Bastnäsite-(La)
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Density:
4.89 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bastnäsite-(La)
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.717 nε = 1.818
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.101
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 Bastnäsite-(La)
Mindat Formula:
La(CO3)F
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Bastnäsite-(La)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6m2 - Ditrigonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P62c
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.118 Å, c = 9.762 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.371
Unit Cell V:
428.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.55 Å | (8) |
| 2.87 Å | (10) |
| 1.900 Å | (9) |
| 1.301 Å | (10) |
| 1.156 Å | (9) |
| 1.068 Å | (9) |
| 1.039 Å | (9) |
| 1.006 Å | (9) |
Comments:
Sample from Siberia.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Bastnäsite-(La)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Synonyms of Bastnäsite-(La)
Other Language Names for Bastnäsite-(La)
Dutch:Bastnäsiet-(La)
German:Bastnäsit-(La)
Russian:Бастнезит-(La)
Simplified Chinese:氟碳镧石
Traditional Chinese:氟碳鑭石
Relationship of Bastnäsite-(La) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Bastnäsite:
| Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F | Hex. 6m2 : P6c2 |
| Bastnäsite-(Nd) | Nd(CO3)F | Hex. 6m2 : P62c |
| Bastnäsite-(Y) | Y(CO3)F | Hex. 6m2 : P62c |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Allanite-(La) | (CaLa)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 6 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Britholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH |
| 6 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Håleniusite-(La) | (La,Ce)OF |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Cerite-(CeCa) | (Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Ferriallanite-(Ce) | (CaCe)(Fe3+AlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Törnebohmite-(Ce) | Ce2Al(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 4 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 3 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
| 3 photos of Bastnäsite-(La) associated with Kamphaugite-(Y) | Ca(Y,REE)(CO3)2(OH) · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.BD. | Cordylite-(La) | (Na,Ca)Ba(La,Ce,Sr)2(CO3)4F |
| 5.BD.05 | Cordylite-(Ce) | NaBaCe2(CO3)4F |
| 5.BD.05 | 'Unnamed (Cordylite-like Calcium-Barium-Cerium Carbonate-Fluoride)' | Ca◻Ba2Ce4[CO3]8F2 |
| 5.BD.05 | Lukechangite-(Ce) | Na3Ce2(CO3)4F |
| 5.BD.10 | 'Zhonghuacerite-(Ce)' | Ba2Ce(CO3)3F |
| 5.BD.10 | Kukharenkoite-(Ce) | Ba2Ce(CO3)3F |
| 5.BD.10 | Kukharenkoite-(La) | Ba2(La,Ce,Th)(CO3)3F |
| 5.BD.15 | Cebaite-(Ce) | Ba3Ce2(CO3)5F2 |
| 5.BD.15 | 'Cebaite-(Nd)' | Ba3(Nd,Ce)2(CO3)5F2 |
| 5.BD.18 | Arisite-(Ce) | NaCe2(CO3)2[F2x(CO3)1-x]F |
| 5.BD.18 | Arisite-(La) | NaLa2(CO3)2[F2x(CO3)1-x]F |
| 5.BD.20c | Synchysite-(Ce) | CaCe(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.20c | Synchysite-(Nd) | CaNd(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.20c | Synchysite-(Y) | CaY(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.20a | Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
| 5.BD.20b | Parisite-(Ce) | CaCe2(CO3)3F2 |
| 5.BD.20b | Parisite-(Nd) | Ca(Nd,Ce,La)2(CO3)3F2 |
| 5.BD.20a | Bastnäsite-(Y) | Y(CO3)F |
| 5.BD.20b | Parisite-(La) | CaLa2(CO3)3F2 |
| 5.BD.20d | Röntgenite-(Ce) | Ca2(Ce,La)3(CO3)5F3 |
| 5.BD.20a | Thorbastnäsite | ThCa(CO3)2F2 · 3H2O |
| 5.BD.20a | Hydroxylbastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)(OH) |
| 5.BD.20a | Hydroxylbastnäsite-(Nd) | Nd(CO3)(OH) |
| 5.BD.20c | 'Hydroxylsynchysite-(Ce)' | Ca(Ce,La)(CO3)2(OH) |
| 5.BD.20c | 'Synchysite-(La)' | Ca(La,Nd)(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.20a | Bastnäsite-(Nd) | Nd(CO3)F |
| 5.BD.20a | Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) | (La,Nd,Ce)(CO3)(OH,F) |
| 5.BD.25 | Qaqarssukite-(Ce) | Ba(Ce,REE)(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.25 | Horváthite-(Y) | NaY(CO3)F2 |
| 5.BD.35 | Huanghoite-(Ce) | BaCe(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.35 | Huanghoite-(Nd) | BaNd(CO3)2F |
| 5.BD.45 | Bayanoboite-(Y) | Ba2Y(CO3)2F3 |
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 Bastnäsite-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-561.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Bastnäsite-(La)
Localities for Bastnäsite-(La)
Showing 41 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.
Australia | |
| Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Spandler et al. (2016) |
| Mineralogical and fluid characteristics of ‘Monakoff-Style’ iron–oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) |
| Williams et al 2015 +1 other reference | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2026) +2 other references |
| Habibi et al. (2026) |
Brazil | |
| Menezes (n.d.) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Shi et al. (2024) |
Czech Republic | |
| Breiter |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
Greece | |
| Gröbner et al. (2002) |
| Gröbner et al. (2002) | |
| Maksimović et al. (1978) |
| Kalatha et al. (2017) |
| Theye +4 other references |
India | |
| Bhushan (2015) +1 other reference |
| Wall et al. (1993) |
Madagascar | |
| mikon-online.com (n.d.) |
| Wolfgang Hampel (2011) |
Namibia | |
| Uwe Kolitsch (PXRD- and EDS-analysis) +3 other references |
Nigeria | |
| Styles et al. (1983) |
Norway | |
| Larsen (2018) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2013) |
Pakistan | |
| Herb Obodda |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu (2006) |
Russia | |
| Izbrodin et al. (2025) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +3 other references |
| Попова et al. (2019) |
| Попова et al. (2019) | |
| Barkov et al. (2021) |
| Putintseva et al. (2017) |
| Pekov (1998) |
South Africa | |
| Mitchell et al. (2004) |
South Korea | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Sweden | |
| Holtstam et al. (2007) |
| Holtstam et al. (2007) |
| Andersson et al. (2024) | |
USA | |
| |
| Adams (2017) |
| Müller et al. (2011) |
| Rocks & Minerals 79:6 pp409-411 |
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