Cebaite-(Ce) is a rare barium-cerium carbonate mineral typically found in complex alkaline igneous rocks and carbonatites. It often appears as small, thin, tabular crystals that can be confused with other rare-earth carbonates like bastnäsite. Collectors usually acquire this mineral through specialized rare-earth locality collections.
Is this cebaite-(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 cebaite-(ce) with a known reference. Cebaite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow-orange to pale gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to waxy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray white, orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates.
Often confused with
Cebaite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside cebaite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with cebaite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₃Ce₂(CO₃)₅F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 4.31-4.66 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow-orange to pale gray
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, platy aggregates
- Cleavage
- On {301} (?), imperfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In carbonatite-derived dolomitic marble (Bayan Obo deposit, China); in a differentiated alkalic massif (Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia)
Where rockhounds find cebaite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Bayan Obo Fe–Nb–RE deposit, 130 km north of Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
- Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Upohlava conglomerates, Slovakia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In carbonatite-derived dolomitic marble (Bayan Obo deposit, China); in a differentiated alkalic massif (Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia). If you start seeing zhonghuacerite-, aegirine, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cebaite-(ce)?+
Where is cebaite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like cebaite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with cebaite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does cebaite-(ce) form in?+
What is cebaite-(ce) used for?+
Find cebaite-(ce) on the map
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