A closely related mineral is called carbocernaite . Both minerals are considered to be important in the development of rare earth minerals in carbonatite rocks and are being studied for this reason. Some rare earth minerals have been found to make pseudomorphs of burbankite and carbocernaite. A testament perhaps of how they play a role in the rare earth minerals' development. Some specimens of what was thought to be burbankite have been identified as a new species to science called remondite .
Color is pale yellow, pale orange, beige, white and colorless with some color zoning.
Luster is vitreous to dull or silky. Crystal System is hexagonal. Crystal Habits include small prismatic six and twelve sided crystals with pyramidal or pinacoidal terminations. Also as compact spherical aggregates and fibrous masses. Fracture is uneven.