Samarskite

This sample of samarskite is displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Samarskite is an oxide mineral which contains uranium, cerium, yttrium, niobium, tantalum and titanium. It has the composition (Y,Ce,U,Fe)₃(Nb,Ta,Ti)₅O₁₆. This sample is about 5x5 cm and is from Webb mine, Yancy County, North Carolina.