Gadolinite-(Y)

Formula: Y2Fe2+Be2Si2O10 Monoclinic Description: Gadolinite-(Y) is an extremely rare mineral found in certain complex granitic pegmatites. SHAWANO COUNTY: Black to dark green anhedral masses of gadolinite up to several cm. in diameter are found in the complex pegmatite …

Plagioclase

Formula: CaAl2Si2O8 Triclinic Description: Plagioclase is a family of feldspar minerals forming a solid solution that ranges, relatively continuously, from pure sodium aluminum silicate (the end member called albite) to pure calcium aluminum silicate (the end member …

Goethite

Formula: FeO(OH) Orthorhombic Description: Stalactitic goethite from Montreal Mine in Iron County, Wisconsin. (Photo by W. Cordua.) Goethite is a common iron mineral. It often forms by weathering of other iron-rich minerals, thus is a common component …

Zircon

Formula: ZrSiO4 Tetragonal Description: Zircon in tabular crystal from the Nine Mile Pluton near Wausau in Marathon County, Wisconsin. Scanning electron microscope image. (Photo by Al Falster.) Zircon is a common accessory mineral found in many different …

Bastnaesite Series

Formula: (Ce, La,Y, Nd)(CO3)F Hexagonal Description: Bastnaesite in platey crystals from the Nine Mile pluton near Wausau in Marathon County, Wisconsin. Scanning electron microscope image. (Photo by Al Falster.) The bastnaesite series is a group of minerals …

Apatite Group

Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH) Hexagonal Description:Apatite denotes a family of minerals referred to variously in older literature as “fluorapatite,” “chlorapatite,” “carbonate-apatite” or “hydroxlyapatite” and in newer literature as apatite- (CaF) etc. depending on which anion group dominates. Members …