Monazite with Albite

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This fine specimen of Monazite with Albite is from the most famous and oldest of many quarries surrounding the Cornish coastal village of Tintagel, Lanterdan quarry. Begun in the fifteenth century during the Plantagenet period, Lanterdan produced good quality slate, used mainly for roofing. As mineral collectors, we know it best for the excellent Quartz and Rutile crystals it produced, yet other minerals were found. This specimen is an example of the relatively rare phosphate Monazite containing the rare earth elements (REEs) cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd) and thorium (Th). Let me warn you, the Monazite crystals are not at all easy to recognise, set amongst a bed of beautifully crystallised Albite Feldspar. Both the Albite and Monazite crystals have a bright glassy lustre and because the Monazite is either colourless, pale tan or even creamy white (the same colour as the Albite) it is difficult to recognise; but Monazite is certainly present! The Albite coats the top surface of a pale greenish metamorphic matrix, probably a slightly foliated phyllite. This small cabinet specimen is accompanied with the label of a much respected collector of Cornish minerals.