Monoclinic
Monazite is a light-REE phosphate and one of the two principal sources of cerium-group rare earths (alongside bastnäsite). It is mildly radioactive and serves as a key target mineral for U-Th-Pb geochronology.
Occurrence in China
Monazite occurs at Bayan Obo (Inner Mongolia) intergrown with bastnäsite, and at Maoniuping (Sichuan) as carbonatite-hosted crystals. Coastal placer deposits in Guangdong and Hainan historically supplied monazite-rich heavy mineral sand. Globally also at Madagascar, Brazil and India.
Identification
Yellow-brown wedge-shaped monoclinic crystals, high density (~5 g/cm³), and weak radioactivity distinguish monazite from xenotime (tetragonal, lower density) and zircon (tetragonal, much harder).
Collector Notes
Madagascar produces the largest gemmy monazite crystals, but Maoniuping yields jewel-like stubby crystals on matrix. Often paired with bastnäsite and aegirine in displays.