Euxenite -(Y)

A doubly terminated, sharp euxenite crystal that is nearly complete all around. One corner is bruised on the specimen where a black columbite crystals was intergrown with it. A very nice example of this rare mineral.

"Euxenite, which is sometimes named euxenite-(Y) (the Y is for the yttrium), is a mineral that is sometimes called a "trash can mineral". Because it will accommodate a wide variety of elements in its crystal structure, generally the elements that other minerals do not seem to want, ie the "trash". For euxenite, these elements are in a group called the rare earths and are sometimes quite valuable, making euxenite a potentially profitable ore. Euxenite's name is from a Greek phrase meaning "hospitable", another reference to its . . . accommodating nature."1

1. http://www.galleries.com/minerals/oxides/euxenite/euxenite.htm