Florencite-(Ce) is a rare phosphate mineral often found as small, sharp rhombohedral crystals in metamorphic environments or alluvial sands. Collectors typically search for its distinct crystal habit and color, often associating it with quartz or kyanite in high-pressure geologic settings.
Is this florencite-(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 florencite-(ce) with a known reference. Florencite-(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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: greasy to resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, gray, light yellow, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, sometimes pseudo-cubic.
Often confused with
Florencite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads greasy to resinous on Florencite-(Ce) and resinous on Monazite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads greasy to resinous on Florencite-(Ce) and vitreous, dull to chalky when massive on Crandallite.
Often found alongside florencite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with florencite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CeAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.45-3.54 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Greasy to resinous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral crystals, sometimes pseudo-cubic
- Cleavage
- Good on {0001}; interrupted on {1120}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- As a weathering product, typically of apatite, in highly argillized igneous rocks, bauxite, saprolite, carbonatites; authigenic in shales and sandstones
Where rockhounds find florencite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Tripuhy, near Ouro Preto, Brazil
- Matta dos Creoulos, and Lavra da Tejucana, near Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Brumado, Bahia, Brazil
- Backbone Ranges, Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada
- Salmchâteau, Belgium
- Corris area, Gwynedd, Wales
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As a weathering product, typically of apatite, in highly argillized igneous rocks, bauxite, saprolite, carbonatites; authigenic in shales and sandstones. If you start seeing kaolinite, muscovite, alunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, sometimes pseudo-cubic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify florencite-(ce)?+
Where is florencite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like florencite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with florencite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does florencite-(ce) form in?+
What is florencite-(ce) used for?+
Find florencite-(ce) on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
