Wakefieldite-(Nd) is a rare vanadate mineral typically found as tiny, secondary crusts or microscopic prismatic crystals. It is a member of the xenotime group and is most easily identified through laboratory analysis given its resemblance to other rare-earth vanadates. Collectors usually find it as sparse coatings in hydrothermal occurrences or rare-earth rich pegmatites.

Hardness

4-5

Mohs

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareWakefieldite Series family

Wakefieldite-(Nd)

Hardness: 4-5
Transparency: Transparent

Is this wakefieldite-(nd)?

3-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch wakefieldite-(nd) with a known reference. Wakefieldite-(Nd) sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
3
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: microscopic prismatic crystals, pulverulent.

Often confused with

Wakefieldite-(Nd) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Zircon

Mohs 7.5

How to tell apart: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 4-5).

Often found alongside wakefieldite-(nd)

Minerals reported to co-occur with wakefieldite-(nd). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Nd(VO₄)
Mohs hardness: 4-5
Density: 4.782 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Microscopic prismatic crystals, pulverulent
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: From metamorphism-induced recrystallization and dehydration of Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxide in a stratiform ferromanganese deposit

Where rockhounds find wakefieldite-(nd)

Classic worldwide localities

Joe Lott Tuff, southwestern Utah, USA
Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island, Japan (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: From metamorphism-induced recrystallization and dehydration of Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxide in a stratiform ferromanganese deposit. If you start seeing hematite, caryopilite, rhodochrosite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic prismatic crystals, pulverulent. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify wakefieldite-(nd)?+

Mohs hardness is 4-5. Common colors include colorless.

Where is wakefieldite-(nd) found?+

Notable localities include Joe Lott Tuff, southwestern Utah, USA; Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island, Japan (type locality).

Is wakefieldite-(nd) safe to handle?+

Wakefieldite-(Nd) contains vanadium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like wakefieldite-(nd)?+

Wakefieldite-(Nd) is most often confused with Zircon, Xenotime, Wakefieldite-(Ce). A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with wakefieldite-(nd)?+

Wakefieldite-(Nd) commonly co-occurs with Hematite, Caryopilite, Rhodochrosite, Calcite, Cerite-, Monazite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does wakefieldite-(nd) form in?+

Where it forms: From metamorphism-induced recrystallization and dehydration of Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxide in a stratiform ferromanganese deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is wakefieldite-(nd) used for?+

Wakefieldite-(Nd) is used in collector.

Find wakefieldite-(nd) on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.