Davidite-(Ce) is a rare complex titanium-oxide mineral known for its high content of rare-earth elements and uranium. It is typically identified by its opaque, black submetallic appearance and its distinct radioactivity in field tests. Collectors usually find it in granitic pegmatites or specialized hydrothermal vein deposits.
Is this davidite-(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 davidite-(ce) with a known reference. Davidite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Davidite-(Ce) leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Davidite-(Ce) typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular to rhombohedral crystals, often massive or granular.
Often confused with
Davidite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads submetallic on Davidite-(Ce) and metallic on Magnetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Davidite-(Ce) leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Davidite-(Ce) and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside davidite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with davidite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ce,La)(Y,U,Fe²⁺)(Ti,Fe³⁺)₂₁O₃₈
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 4.4-4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Rhombohedral Crystals, Often Massive or Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small specimens depending on locality and radioactivity levels
Where rockhounds find davidite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Radium Hill, Australia
- Tete, Mozambique
- Iveland, Norway
- Madagascar
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where davidite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing rutile, ilmenite, monazite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to rhombohedral crystals, often massive or granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify davidite-(ce)?+
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Is davidite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like davidite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with davidite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does davidite-(ce) form in?+
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Find davidite-(ce) on the map
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