Class : Silicates
    Subclass : Sorosilicates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : (Na,Ca,Ce)₃TiSi₂O₇(F,OH,O)
    Rarity : Rare

Mosandrite (also called rinkite or johnstrupite) is a mineral characteristic of nepheline syenites and their pegmatites, exceptionally present in their volcanic equivalents (phonolite of St-Amable, Quebec). It is a mineral with a complex formula, rich in rare earth elements (cerium, lanthanum, etc...), yttrium and titanium, all metals quite abundant in these particular rocks. It was named in honor of Carl Gustav Mosander, a Swedish mineralogist and chemist who discovered several elements of the rare earth family. Mosandrite forms elongated to acicular crystals up to 10 cm, or lamellar, frequently gathered in radiate groups, brown to red-brown in color, fading to pale greenish to yellowish through alteration.

Main photo : Mosandrite and eudialyte from the Kipawa Alkaline Massif, Quebec, Canada © Michel C. Roarke

No twin known for this mineral species.

No fakes recorded for this mineral species.