Cerite-(CeCa) is a rare-earth silicate mineral typically occurring as massive or granular aggregates in REE-rich skarns. It is highly valued by collectors for its role as a primary rare-earth source and its distinctive dense, brownish appearance. It is almost exclusively found in association with other rare-earth minerals like bastnäsite.
Is this cerite-(ceca)?
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 cerite-(ceca) with a known reference. Cerite-(CeCa) sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cerite-(CeCa) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cerite-(CeCa) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown, gray, pinkish-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: granular, massive, rare prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Cerite-(CeCa) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cerite-(CeCa) leaves white, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Cerite-(CeCa) and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Cerite-(CeCa) and resinous on Monazite.
Often found alongside cerite-(ceca)
Minerals reported to co-occur with cerite-(ceca). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ce,Ca,La)₉(Fe,Mg,Al)(SiO₄)₃(SiO₃OH)(OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 4.8-4.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive, Rare Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Rare Earth Element-rich Skarns and Carbonatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find cerite-(ceca)
Classic worldwide localities
- Bastnäs, Sweden
- Mountain Pass, USA
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Steens Mountain, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in rare earth element-rich skarns and carbonatites country — that is the host setting where cerite-(ceca) typically forms. If you start seeing allanite, bastnäsite, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive, rare prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cerite-(ceca)?+
Where is cerite-(ceca) found?+
How much is cerite-(ceca) worth?+
Is cerite-(ceca) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like cerite-(ceca)?+
What minerals are found with cerite-(ceca)?+
What kind of rock does cerite-(ceca) form in?+
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Find cerite-(ceca) on the map
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