Chukhrovite-(Ce) is a rare calcium-cerium aluminum sulfate-fluoride mineral often forming sharp, octahedral crystals. It is most commonly found in hydrothermal deposits and is highly prized by mineral collectors for its distinctive cubic symmetry and complex crystal surface structures.
Is this chukhrovite-(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 chukhrovite-(ce) with a known reference. Chukhrovite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, often with stepped faces or hoppered growths.
Often confused with
Chukhrovite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chukhrovite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with chukhrovite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃CeAl₂(SO₄)F₁₃(H₂O)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral crystals, often with stepped faces or hoppered growths
- Cleavage
- On {111}, distinct, by analogy to chukhrovite-(Y)
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a hydrothermal barite–fluorite vein deposit (Clara mine, Germany); from the oxidized zone of a banded sellaite–tourmaline–fluorite deposit (Yaroslavsk deposit, Russia)
Where rockhounds find chukhrovite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Clara mine, near Oberwolfach, Black Forest, Germany
- Yaroslavsk tin deposit, 50 km south of Lake Khanka, Primorskiy Kray, Siberia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a hydrothermal barite–fluorite vein deposit (Clara mine, Germany); from the oxidized zone of a banded sellaite–tourmaline–fluorite deposit (Yaroslavsk deposit, Russia). If you start seeing fluorite, jarosite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, often with stepped faces or hoppered growths. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chukhrovite-(ce)?+
Where is chukhrovite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like chukhrovite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with chukhrovite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does chukhrovite-(ce) form in?+
What is chukhrovite-(ce) used for?+
Find chukhrovite-(ce) on the map
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