Cervandonite-(Ce) is a rare silicate mineral found in alpine-type veins and fissures in high-grade metamorphic rocks. It typically appears as dark, opaque tabular crystals and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors due to its restricted distribution and distinct chemical composition.
Is this cervandonite-(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 cervandonite-(ce) with a known reference. Cervandonite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cervandonite-(Ce) leaves a brownish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cervandonite-(Ce) typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates.
Often confused with
Cervandonite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cervandonite-(Ce) leaves brownish-black, Allanite leaves gray.
How to tell apart: Epidote is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4-5); streak differs — Cervandonite-(Ce) leaves brownish-black, Epidote leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Cervandonite-(Ce) and vitreous on Epidote.
Often found alongside cervandonite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with cervandonite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ce,Nd,La)(Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺,Al)₂(Si₂O₇)(O,OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 5.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish-black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Subparallel Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alpine-type Fissures in Gneiss
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find cervandonite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Cervandone Valley, Italy
- Binntal, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in alpine-type fissures in gneiss country — that is the host setting where cervandonite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, garnet, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cervandonite-(ce)?+
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How much is cervandonite-(ce) worth?+
What rocks look like cervandonite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with cervandonite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does cervandonite-(ce) form in?+
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Find cervandonite-(ce) on the map
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