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 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brownish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, rosette.
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, so Cervandonite-(Ce) leaves brownish black, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads adamantine on Cervandonite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Epidote is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 5); streak differs, so Cervandonite-(Ce) leaves brownish black, Epidote leaves grayish white; luster reads adamantine on Cervandonite-(Ce) and vitreous, pearly, somewhat resinous 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)(Fe,Ti,Fe,Al)₃O₂(Si₂O₇)₀.₈(AsO₃)₁.₂(OH)₀.₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish black
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque, translucent in very thin fragments
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, rosette
- Cleavage
- {001}, poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In narrow fissure-veins cutting two-mica gneiss
Where rockhounds find cervandonite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Pizzo Cervandone, Alpe Devero, Italy (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In narrow fissure-veins cutting two-mica gneiss. If you start seeing senaite, chernovite, rutile in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, rosette. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cervandonite-(ce)?+
Where is cervandonite-(ce) found?+
Is cervandonite-(ce) safe to handle?+
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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