Belovite-(Ce) is a rare phosphate mineral primarily found in alkaline igneous complexes. It typically forms small, tabular hexagonal crystals in vugs and cavities, often associated with other rare earth-bearing minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent to translucent

mineralrareApatite Group family

Belovite-(Ce)

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent to translucent

Is this belovite-(ce)?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch belovite-(ce) with a known reference. Belovite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: honey yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Belovite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces on Belovite-(Ce) and resinous on Monazite.

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Often found alongside belovite-(ce)

Minerals reported to co-occur with belovite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NaCeSr₃(PO₄)₃F
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 4.19 g/cm³
Colors: Honey yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces
Transparency: Semitransparent to translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: Prismatic and pinacoidal, imperfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As a secondary mineral in pegmatites in differentiated alkalic massifs

Where rockhounds find belovite-(ce)

Classic worldwide localities

Found in Russia, on Mts. Punkaruaiv, Lepkhe-Nelm, Sengischorr, Karnasurt, Kedykvyrpakhk, and Alluaiv, Lovozero massif
Mts. Kukisvumchorr and Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As a secondary mineral in pegmatites in differentiated alkalic massifs. If you start seeing ussingite, natrolite, chkalovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify belovite-(ce)?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces. The streak is white. Common colors include honey yellow.

Where is belovite-(ce) found?+

Notable localities include Found in Russia, on Mts. Punkaruaiv, Lepkhe-Nelm, Sengischorr, Karnasurt, Kedykvyrpakhk, and Alluaiv, Lovozero massif; Mts. Kukisvumchorr and Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula.

Is belovite-(ce) safe to handle?+

Contains minor amounts of radioactive elements like thorium; handle with care and wash hands after handling specimens.

What rocks look like belovite-(ce)?+

Belovite-(Ce) is most often confused with Apatite, Monazite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with belovite-(ce)?+

Belovite-(Ce) commonly co-occurs with Ussingite, Natrolite, Chkalovite, Epistolite, Tugtupite, Mangan-neptunite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does belovite-(ce) form in?+

Where it forms: As a secondary mineral in pegmatites in differentiated alkalic massifs. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is belovite-(ce) used for?+

Belovite-(Ce) is used in collector.

Find belovite-(ce) on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.