Yttrium
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Mineral NameYttrium
Chemical FormulaY
Mohs Hardness3
Crystal Systemhexagonal
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorsilvery-white
Cleavagenone (ductile)
Fracturehackly
Specific Gravity4.47
Colorssilvery-white, grayish-white
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityNot applicable (refined element, extracted from various rare-earth deposits worldwide)
Mineral GroupNative Element (Rare-earth metal)
Usesalloys, superconductors, phosphors, lasers, medical applications, catalysts
Rarityuncommon
Description
The image displays two sublimed-dendritic samples of high-purity yttrium metal, exhibiting a complex, spiky, and feathery texture, alongside a smooth 1cm³ cube of the same silvery-white metallic element.
Geological Context
Yttrium is a rare-earth element primarily found in trace amounts within various rare-earth minerals such as xenotime and monazite, typically occurring in pegmatites and alkaline igneous rocks. It is extracted and refined from these ore minerals.
