Cerite-(Ce)
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameCerite-(Ce)
Chemical Formula(Ce,Ca)₉(Mg,Fe)(SiO₄)₆(SiO₃OH)(OH)₃
Mohs Hardness5
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorpale yellowish brown
Cleavageindistinct
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity4.8
Colorsdark brown, black, reddish-brown
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityBastnäs mine, Västmanland, Sweden
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usessource of cerium, scientific research, collector
Associated Mineralsallanite, bastnäsite, epidote, magnetite
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen is a massive, dark brown to almost black mineral, with some areas exhibiting reddish-brown and greenish-grey hues, and a somewhat dull to resinous luster.
Geological Context
Cerite-(Ce) is a rare-earth-bearing silicate mineral typically found in rare-earth-rich skarns or carbonatites, often associated with alkaline igneous rocks. It forms under specific conditions where cerium and other light rare earth elements are concentrated.
