A silicate containing a large amount of cerium. It is usually black in color, opaque, and is related to epidote in form and composition.

Allanite is a sorosilicate group of minerals within the broader epidote group that contain a significant amount of rare earth elements. It has the general formula Ca(Ce,La,Y,Ca)Al2(Fe2+,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH). The International Mineralogical Association lists three minerals in the allanite group, each recognized as a unique mineral: allanite-Ce, allanite-La and allanite-Y, depending on the dominant rare earth present.