Calcioburbankite is a rare carbonate mineral belonging to the burbankite group, typically occurring as small hexagonal prisms. It is primarily found in highly evolved alkaline rock complexes and is highly valued by mineral collectors for its complexity and rarity. Identification usually requires X-ray diffraction due to its physical similarity to other members of the burbankite series.
Is this calcioburbankite?
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 calcioburbankite with a known reference. Calcioburbankite sits at Mohs 3-4, 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, silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: deep orange, silky white, pink light.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: crystalline, prismatic.
Often confused with
Calcioburbankite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside calcioburbankite
Minerals reported to co-occur with calcioburbankite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₃(Ca,Ce,Sr,La)₃(CO₃)₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.45 g/cm³
- Colors
- Deep orangeSilky whitePink light
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Crystalline, prismatic
- Cleavage
- Indistinct on {1010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare late stage mineral associated with an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex (Mont Saint-Hilaire)
Where rockhounds find calcioburbankite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
- Vuoriyarvi carbonatites, northern Karelia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare late stage mineral associated with an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex (Mont Saint-Hilaire). If you start seeing ancylite-, calcite, donnayite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crystalline, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify calcioburbankite?+
Where is calcioburbankite found?+
What rocks look like calcioburbankite?+
What minerals are found with calcioburbankite?+
What kind of rock does calcioburbankite form in?+
What is calcioburbankite used for?+
Find calcioburbankite on the map
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