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. Fluocerite-(Ce) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fluocerite-(Ce) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, reddish-yellow, brown, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, tabular.
Often confused with
Fluocerite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- (Ce,La)F₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 5.9-6.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Tabular
- Cleavage
- Poor On Basal Pinacoid
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find fluocerite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Bastnäs, Sweden
- Steenkampskraal, South Africa
- Pikes Peak, Colorado, USA
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where fluocerite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing allanite, bastnäsite, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, tabular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fluocerite-(ce)?+
Where is fluocerite-(ce) found?+
How much is fluocerite-(ce) worth?+
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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