Britholite-(Ce) is a rare earth-bearing silicate mineral belonging to the apatite supergroup. It is primarily identified by its characteristic brown color and association with rare alkaline igneous complexes, often requiring testing to distinguish from standard apatite.
Is this britholite-(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 britholite-(ce) with a known reference. Britholite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 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: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, greenish brown, yellow, resin brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic, pseudo hexagonal.
Often confused with
Britholite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Britholite-(Ce) and vitreous on Apatite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Britholite-(Ce) leaves white, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads adamantine on Britholite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Britholite-(Ce) and resinous on Monazite.
Often found alongside britholite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with britholite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Ce₃(SiO₄)₃OH
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.20-4.69 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque, transparent only in thin flakes
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, pseudo hexagonal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In nepheline syenites, pegmatites, and contact deposits related to them
Where rockhounds find britholite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Three km east of Jamestown, Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
- Oka and Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
- Pibnesburg complex, Rustenburg, Transvaal, South Africa
- San Vito quarry, Monte Somma, Campania, Italy
- Tvedalen, Norway
- Tungpei, not otherwise located in China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In nepheline syenites, pegmatites, and contact deposits related to them. If you start seeing zircon, pyrochlore, titanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, pseudo hexagonal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify britholite-(ce)?+
Where is britholite-(ce) found?+
Is britholite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like britholite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with britholite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does britholite-(ce) form in?+
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Find britholite-(ce) on the map
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