Ancylite-(Ce) typically occurs as small, complex, pseudooctahedral crystals that are often found in cavities of alkaline rocks. It is a rare earth carbonate prized by collectors for its sharp crystal morphology and association with exotic pegmatite minerals. Look for its characteristic brownish to yellowish color and vitreous luster in samples from localities like Mont Saint-Hilaire.
Is this ancylite-(ce)?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch ancylite-(ce) with a known reference. Ancylite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 4-4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to dull on crystal faces, greasy on fracture surfaces.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, brown red, colorless, gray, gray pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: crystalline, pyramidal.
Often confused with
Ancylite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ancylite-(Ce) leaves white, Parisite-(Ce) leaves pale yellow.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to dull on crystal faces, greasy on fracture surfaces on Ancylite-(Ce) and adamantine, vitreous, resinous, oily, pearly on {0001}; waxy if altered on Cordylite-(Ce).
Often found alongside ancylite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with ancylite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrCe(CO₃)₂(OH)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 3.82-4.30 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull on crystal faces, greasy on fracture surfaces
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Crystalline, pyramidal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An uncommon accessory mineral in some nepheline syenites and carbonatites
Where rockhounds find ancylite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Sheep Creek vein, Ravalli Co., and the “vermiculite prospects”, Bearpaw Mountains, Hill Co., Montana, USA
- Gem Park, Fremont Co., Colorado, USA
- Narssârssuk, Greenland
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, in the Miron quarry, Montreal, and from near Saint-Amable, Quebec, Canada
- Ice River complex, near Field, British Columbia, Canada
- Desmont mine, Wilberforce, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon accessory mineral in some nepheline syenites and carbonatites. If you start seeing parisite-, synchysite-, cordylite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crystalline, pyramidal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ancylite-(ce)?+
Where is ancylite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like ancylite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with ancylite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does ancylite-(ce) form in?+
What is ancylite-(ce) used for?+
Find ancylite-(ce) on the map
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