Chevkinite-(Ce) is a rare complex silicate mineral primarily occurring in alkaline igneous rocks. It is most often found as opaque black prismatic crystals or massive aggregates and is notable for its thorium content, which makes it radioactive.
Is this chevkinite-(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 chevkinite-(ce) with a known reference. Chevkinite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chevkinite-(Ce) leaves a white to light brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chevkinite-(Ce) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Chevkinite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chevkinite-(Ce) leaves white to light brown, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Chevkinite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chevkinite-(Ce) leaves white to light brown, Perrierite-(Ce) leaves light brown; luster reads vitreous on Chevkinite-(Ce) and resinous on Perrierite-(Ce).
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chevkinite-(Ce) leaves white to light brown, Epidote leaves white.
Often found alongside chevkinite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with chevkinite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ce,Ca,Th,La)₄(Fe²⁺,Mg)₂(Ti,Fe³⁺)₃Si₄O₂₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.5-4.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White to Light Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Pegmatites, Syenites
- Typical price
- $20-150 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find chevkinite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Ilmen Mountains, Russia
- San Bernardino County, California, USA
- Madagascar
- Norway
- Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, pegmatites, syenites country — that is the host setting where chevkinite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing zircon, titanite, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chevkinite-(ce)?+
Where is chevkinite-(ce) found?+
How much is chevkinite-(ce) worth?+
Is chevkinite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like chevkinite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with chevkinite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does chevkinite-(ce) form in?+
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Find chevkinite-(ce) on the map
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