Xenotime (from the
Greek words xenos, "foreign", and time, "honour") is a Rare Earth phosphate mineral, whose major component is yttrium orthophosphate (YPO4). It forms a solid solution series with chernovite-(Y) (YAsO4) and therefore may contain trace impurities of arsenic, as well as
silicon dioxide and
calcium. The
Rare Earths dysprosium,
erbium,
terbium, and
ytterbium, and metal elements like
thorium and
uranium (all replacing yttrium) are the expressive secondary components of xenotime. Due to uranium and thorium impurities, some xenotime specimens may be weakly to strongly
radioactive.
Lithiophyllite,
monazite, and
purpurite are sometimes grouped with xenotime in the informal "anhydrous phosphates" group. Xenotime is used chiefly as a source of yttrium and heavy
lanthanide metals (dysprosium, ytterbium, erbium, and gadolinium). Occasionally,
gemstones are also cut from the finer xenotime crystals.
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General Information:
Chemical Formula:
YbPO4
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 268.01 gm)
Ytterbium 64.56 %
YbPhosphorus 11.56 %
P Oxygen 23.88 %
O Empirical Formula:
Yb(PO4)
Environment:
Found in the saccharoidal albite unit of a granitic pegmatite. Forms a series with xenotime-(Y).
IMA Status:
Approved IMA (Dana # Added)
Locality:
Shatford Lake pegmatite group, near the margin of the Lac du Bonnet batholith, southeastern Manitoba.
Name Origin:
Named after its composition and relationship with xenotime-(Y).
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
None
Color:
colorless, yellowish white, or brownish white.
Diaphaniety:
Transparent
Habits:
Inclusions - Generally found as inclusions in other minerals., ,
Hardness:
-
Luminescence:
Non-fluorescent.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
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