Rhabdophane-(Ce)
CePO₄ · H₂O

     Rhabdophane-(Ce) is a rare phosphate mineral at MSH.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually pale yellow-brown, tan, beige and brown.
Luster is dull to greasy.
Diaphaneity is translucent to opaque.
Crystal System is hexagonal; P6₂22.
Crystal Habits include hexagonal prisms to 6mm, botyroidal
   aggregates and interstitial fillings.
Cleavage none observed.
Fracture is uneven.
Hardness is 3.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 4.0 g/cm³.
Streak is yellowish.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, albite, amphibole group,
   ancylite, astrophyllite, biotite, calcite, microcline, natrolite,
   rhodochrosite and sérandite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Named in 1878 from the Greek rhabdos, a rod, plus
   phainesthai, to appear, alluding to its characteristic spectral
   absorption bands due to REE presence.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:331 (1990), Dana 8:807 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

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