Thulium
Image: Alchemist-hp (talk) (www.pse-mendelejew.de) (FAL)
Mineral NameThulium
Chemical FormulaTm
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemhexagonal
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorsilvery-gray
CleavageNone (Ductile metal)
Fracturehackly
Specific Gravity9.32
Colorssilvery-gray
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityNot applicable for refined element; naturally found in rare-earth deposits worldwide
Mineral GroupElement (Rare-earth metal)
Useslasers, ceramics, medical imaging, superconductors
Associated Mineralsmonazite, xenotime, euxenite
Rarityrare
Description
The image displays a large, irregularly shaped mass of sublimed dendritic thulium with a metallic luster, alongside a smaller, smooth cubic block and several smaller dendritic fragments, all exhibiting a silvery-gray color.
Geological Context
Thulium is a rare-earth element that occurs in trace amounts within various rare-earth minerals, primarily in igneous and metamorphic rocks, and is not found as a native metal in nature.
