Class : Carbonates, nitrates, borates
    Subclass : Anhydrous carbonates
    Crystal system : Trigonal
    Chemistry : Ca(Ce,La,Nd)₂(CO₃)₃F₂
    Rarity : Rare to very rare

Although a rare mineral, parisite is nevertheless one of the most common rare earth carbonates along with bastnasite and synchysite. Cerium is often partially replaced by yttrium and other rare earths, mainly lanthanum. Parisite is found in sodic riebeckite granites, which recalls the occurrences of bastnasite, but its type locality of Muzo (Colombia) comes from a particular sedimentary context with hydrothermalized black shales. In this deposit, parisite exists in quartzo-carbonate lenses associated with pyrite and emeralds. It was named in honor of J. J. Paris, owner of the Muzo mine. Parisite forms hexagonal crystals, reaching several centimeters, sometimes elongated in "steps" by repetition of the faces of the prism. It is transparent to translucent, glassy to resinous in luster and brownish yellow, waxy yellow to orange yellow, rarely clear orange in color. When it is sufficiently abundant it can constitute an ore of cerium and other rare earth elements.

Main photo : Parisite de Trimouns, Luzenac, Ariège, France © Guy Bernadi

No twin known for this mineral species.

No fakes listed for this mineral species.