Carbocernaite is a rare carbonate mineral typically found in complex carbonatite deposits and alkaline igneous complexes. It usually occurs as light-colored massive to tabular crystals associated with other rare earth element carbonates and calcite.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, greasy on fractures

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Carbocernaite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous, greasy on fractures
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this carbocernaite?

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 carbocernaite with a known reference. Carbocernaite sits at Mohs 3, 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 fractures.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, brown, yellow, yellow brown, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

Carbocernaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside carbocernaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: SrCa(CO₃)₂
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 3.53 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Brown Yellow Yellow brown White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous, greasy on fractures
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, massive, granular
Cleavage: {100}, {021}, and {010}, poor
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: An uncommon accessory mineral in dolomite–calcite carbonatite associated with an alkaline ultramafic massif (Vuoriyarvi massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia)

Where rockhounds find carbocernaite

Classic worldwide localities

Vuoriyarvi carbonatite complex and in the Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Ozernyi carbonatite, southeastern Sakha, Russia
Khanneshin carbonatite complex, Afghanistan
Bayan Obo Fe–Nb–RE deposit, 130 km north of Baotou, Inner Mongolia, and at Weishan, Shandong Province, China
Phan Si Pan Range, Vietnam
Sarnu-Dandali alkaline complex, Barmer District, Rajasthan, India

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: An uncommon accessory mineral in dolomite–calcite carbonatite associated with an alkaline ultramafic massif (Vuoriyarvi massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia). If you start seeing chlorite, ankerite, alstonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify carbocernaite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: vitreous, greasy on fractures. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, brown, yellow, yellow brown.

Where is carbocernaite found?+

Notable localities include Vuoriyarvi carbonatite complex and in the Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia; Ozernyi carbonatite, southeastern Sakha, Russia; Khanneshin carbonatite complex, Afghanistan; Bayan Obo Fe–Nb–RE deposit, 130 km north of Baotou, Inner Mongolia, and at Weishan, Shandong Province, China; Phan Si Pan Range, Vietnam.

What rocks look like carbocernaite?+

Carbocernaite is most often confused with Dolomite, Calcite, Ankerite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with carbocernaite?+

Carbocernaite commonly co-occurs with Chlorite, Ankerite, Alstonite, Anatase, Quartz, Dolomite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does carbocernaite form in?+

Where it forms: An uncommon accessory mineral in dolomite–calcite carbonatite associated with an alkaline ultramafic massif (Vuoriyarvi massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is carbocernaite used for?+

Carbocernaite is used in collector.

Find carbocernaite on the map

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