Fluocerite-(Ce) is a rare earth fluoride mineral typically found in granite pegmatites and associated hydrothermal deposits. It often occurs as prismatic, somewhat dull crystals that can be confused with other rare earth minerals like monazite, so testing or chemical analysis is often needed for positive identification.
Is this fluocerite-(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 fluocerite-(ce) with a known reference. Fluocerite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: waxy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale wax yellow, yellowish brown, reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: massive, prismatic.
Often confused with
Fluocerite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fluocerite-(Ce) leaves yellow white, Monazite leaves white; luster reads waxy on Fluocerite-(Ce) and resinous on Monazite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fluocerite-(Ce) leaves yellow white, Bastnäsite leaves white; luster reads waxy on Fluocerite-(Ce) and vitreous to greasy on Bastnäsite.
Often found alongside fluocerite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluocerite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CeF₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 6.13 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow white
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, prismatic
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granitic rocks
Where rockhounds find fluocerite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Falun and Osterby, Sweden (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Granitic rocks. If you start seeing allanite, bastnäsite, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fluocerite-(ce)?+
Where is fluocerite-(ce) found?+
Is fluocerite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like fluocerite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with fluocerite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does fluocerite-(ce) form in?+
What is fluocerite-(ce) used for?+
Find fluocerite-(ce) on the map
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