| Monazite-(La) | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Phosphate mineral |
| Formula | LaPO4 |
| IMA symbol | Mnz-La [1] |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic: 2/m |
| Space group | P21/n |
| Unit cell | a = 6.84, b = 7.07, c = 6.45 [Å]; β = β = 103.85◦ |
| Identification | |
| References | [2] [3] |
Monazite-(La) is a relatively rare representative of the monazite group, with lanthanum being the dominant rare earth element in its structure. As such, it is the lanthanum analogue of monazite-(Ce), monazite-(Nd), and monazite-(Sm). It is also the phosphorus analogue of gasparite-(La). [4] The group contains simple rare earth phosphate minerals with the general formula of ATO4, where A = Ce, La, Nd, or Sm (or, rarely, Bi), and B = P or, rarely, As. The A site may also bear Ca and Th. [5]