Allanite-(Ce)

This is an excellent specimen of Allanite-(Ce) from the Yates Mine in Otter Lake, Quebec, Canada. Allanite-(Ce) is the cerium-dominant variant of Allanite, and specimens from this previous Quebec uranium mine are particularly rare. The piece features several subparallel black Allanite crystals, with unusual complex faces. The intergrown Allanite blades are dark brown to black, and the crystals show signs of being somewhat metamict due to radiation damage over time. Yates Mine is well-known for producing world-class Allanite specimens, and this piece is a great example from the locality.