FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Scott LaBorde]

Ever since these crystals were discovered there has been a debate as to whether this is anatase or not (among my local group of friends). Particularly because of its unusual color. I know that anatase occurs in yellow, but this color almost looks like monazite. I do not see a dipyramidal occurence of monazite on mindat so I believe it's anatase. Is there any possibility of this being something other than anatase?

[Pete Richards]

Hi Scott!

They certainly look like anatase to me. The color is no problem and the habit is perfect. There are some smaller more orange crystals visible in some images that I am not sure about, but the straw-colored ones are anatase. Pretty little things!

[Jordi Fabre]

Please see: Images from Ploum of French Anatases (Col de la Madeleine)

[Roger Warin]

Hi
I agree with Pete. The loss of color is probably due to a very small proportion of iron in the crystal lattice. The pure anatase should be colorless
Roger.

[Scott LaBorde]

Thanks for your help guys. The identification was made difficult as a result of no "visible" anatase specimens ever reported from Wake County, NC. So we have something that is very rare for this location.

[Herman van Dennebroek]

Hi Scott,

Use Google search and fill in anatase pictures and you get a lot of anatase pictures in very different color's.