Calkinsite-(Ce) is a rare secondary carbonate mineral typically found as small, thin, platy crystals or yellowish crusts. It is most commonly identified in samples from carbonatite deposits where it forms as a weathering product of other rare-earth minerals.
Is this calkinsite-(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 calkinsite-(ce) with a known reference. Calkinsite-(Ce) sits at Mohs ~2.5, 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: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, or radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Calkinsite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside calkinsite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with calkinsite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ce₂(CO₃)₃·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~2.5
- Density
- 3.28 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, crusts, or radial aggregates
- Cleavage
- {010}, perfect; {101}, distinct; {001}, a parting (?)
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A weathering product closely associated with burbankite, in calcite veins cutting shonkinite in a composite stock (Big Sandy Creek, Montana, USA)
Where rockhounds find calkinsite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Vermiculite prospects at the head of Big Sandy Creek, Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, about 40 km east of Box Elder, Hill Co., Montana, USA
- Vuoriyarvi carbonatite massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Khanneshin carbonatite complex, Afghanistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A weathering product closely associated with burbankite, in calcite veins cutting shonkinite in a composite stock (Big Sandy Creek, Montana, USA). If you start seeing burbankite, ancylite, lanthanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, or radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify calkinsite-(ce)?+
Where is calkinsite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like calkinsite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with calkinsite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does calkinsite-(ce) form in?+
What is calkinsite-(ce) used for?+
Find calkinsite-(ce) on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
