Monazite-Ce

specimen number:
2262134

location:
Arendal, Agder, Norway

description:
Rich masses of monazite in matrix. The specimen comes with a partial antique label from the Foote Mineral Company glued on one face.

Arendal, located on the south coast of Norway within the Agder county, is a classic mineralogical district famous for its complex granite pegmatites and iron ore deposits. Geologically, the region is part of the Bamble Lithotecton, a Proterozoic metamorphic terrain where high-grade gneiss and amphibolite are cross-cut by numerous pegmatite veins rich in rare earth elements. Monazite-Ce occurs in these pegmatites as a primary accessory mineral, typically forming reddish-brown to orange-brown monoclinic crystals that are often well-developed and highly sought after by researchers for age-dating the Fennoscandian Shield. Historically, mining and quarrying in the Arendal district began as early as the 16th century, primarily focusing on high-quality magnetite iron ores which were essential to the Norwegian shipping and armament industries for hundreds of years. The specialized extraction of minerals from the pegmatites, including monazite, feldspar, and quartz, reached its peak during the 19th and early 20th centuries. While most commercial mining operations ceased by the mid-20th century, the historic quarries around localities like Tromoy and Hisoy remain internationally significant for their scientific value.

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