Raw Stones
303 pieces
Tumbled Stones
202 pieces
Palm Stones
37 pieces
Crystal Points
38 pieces
Clusters & Geodes
61 pieces
Polished & Decor
146 pieces
Mineral Specimens
130 collector pieces
Crystal Chips
22 pieces
Browse everything
Every collection, one page.
View All Collections →
Aries
Mar 21 – Apr 19
Carnelian
›
Taurus
Apr 20 – May 20
Rose Quartz
›
Gemini
May 21 – Jun 20
Agate
›
Cancer
Jun 21 – Jul 22
Moonstone
›
Leo
Jul 23 – Aug 22
Citrine
›
Virgo
Aug 23 – Sep 22
Amazonite
›
Libra
Sep 23 – Oct 22
Blue Lace Agate
›
Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Obsidian
›
Sagittarius
Nov 22 – Dec 21
Sodalite
›
Capricorn
Dec 22 – Jan 19
Black Tourmaline
›
Aquarius
Jan 20 – Feb 18
Amethyst
›
Pisces
Feb 19 – Mar 20
Aquamarine
›
Gifting?
A birthday stone is the safe bet.
Read the zodiac guide →
Monazite
Monazite is phosphate (rare earth), (Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO₄. In the hand, it rates 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, and it runs red-brown and honey. Resinous red-brown heavyweight crystals from pegmatites and black beach sands, the workhorse ore of rare-earth elements, faintly radioactive from thorium. Pegmatites and heavy beach sands: India, Brazil, Australia, North Carolina (USA).
The geology.
Monazite carries the formula (Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO₄. It belongs to the monoclinic system. It is classified as phosphate (rare earth).
It sits at 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads resinous to adamantine. Light behaviour is translucent to opaque. Specific gravity runs 4.6 to 5.4. The streak is white to pale brown. It breaks with distinct cleavage; uneven fracture.
Resinous red-brown heavyweight crystals from pegmatites and black beach sands, the workhorse ore of rare-earth elements, faintly radioactive from thorium.
You will most often meet it as stubby crystals in pegmatite, waterworn heavy-sand grains or twinned crystals.
The origins.
Pegmatites and heavy beach sands: India, Brazil, Australia, North Carolina (USA).
On value, the database notes: affordable; sharp twinned crystals interest collectors.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, monazite has little established lore; it is a technology-metals specimen above all.
People buy on this language, so it belongs on the page. It belongs under the facts, though, not over them.
Spotting the real thing.
Resinous red-brown heavyweight crystals from pegmatites and black beach sands, the workhorse ore of rare-earth elements, faintly radioactive from thorium.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Zircon | Zircon is harder (7.5) with adamantine fire and tetragonal prisms |
| Titanite | Titanite forms sharp wedges and is lighter |
| Garnet | Garnet is harder, glassier, never radioactive |
At-home tests.
You can run every one of these at a kitchen table. Good light matters more than gear when you are looking at monazite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| By eye | Heavy for size (SG ~5) |
| By eye | Resinous luster |
| By eye | Faint response on a Geiger counter (thorium) |
| Scratch check | Knife barely scratches it |
If these checks leave you unsure, that is what appraisers are for. Do not file, heat or soak a piece to find out.
Care & handling.
At 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale it handles careful wear but scratches against quartz and dust. Store it separately and take rings off before rough work.
It breaks with distinct cleavage; uneven fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Most damage happens during cleaning, not wearing. Avoid steamers, ultrasonic tanks and anything from under the sink.
Mildly radioactive (thorium), a shelf specimen is fine; skip pocket-carrying and don't collect kilograms of sand concentrate indoors.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is (Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO₄. Crystal system: Monoclinic. Specific gravity: 4.6 to 5.4. Streak: White to pale brown. Cleavage and fracture: Distinct cleavage; uneven fracture.
How it reaches the market
Pegmatites and heavy beach sands: India, Brazil, Australia, North Carolina (USA).
What it gets confused with
Zircon: Zircon is harder (7.5) with adamantine fire and tetragonal prisms. Titanite: Titanite forms sharp wedges and is lighter. Garnet: Garnet is harder, glassier, never radioactive.
What it is worth
Affordable; sharp twinned crystals interest collectors.
One more thing
Gas lantern mantles once glowed thanks to thorium from monazite sand, beach grains lit the pre-electric world.
An education-first guide.
There is nothing to buy on this page. Monazite is not part of our catalogue, and the guide is here anyway because somebody searching the name deserves a straight answer.
Explore the Crystal Guide