What is Wakefieldite-(Y)?
Wakefieldite-(Y) is the yttrium-dominant member of the wakefieldite group, a rare tetragonal vanadate found in unusual rare-earth-bearing rocks.
Mineralogy and structure
Reference formula: YVO4. Wakefieldite-(Y) is tetragonal with the ideal formula YVO4. COD 1011156 provides an exact structural reference; lanthanide substitution can occur in natural specimens. Wakefieldite-(Y) is classified with vanadates and has tetragonal crystal symmetry. Typical hardness is 4–5 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 4.3–4.7.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include yellow, orange-yellow, brown, greenish-yellow. The usual tabular, granular, crusty habit and adamantine, vitreous, resinous lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Wakefieldite-(Y) forms in or is associated with rare-earth pegmatites, alkaline complexes, hydrothermal veins and oxidised vanadate deposits. Important documented localities include Sweden, Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, the United States and other rare-earth districts.
A rare-earth vanadate with a bright mineral name
Wakefieldite-(Y) is a compelling micro-collector species: its value is in authenticated chemistry, locality and relation to the broader wakefieldite group.
Collecting and care
Protect from acids, abrasion and dust; preserve the host-rock context and do not identify it from colour alone.
