Gatelite-(Ce) is an extremely rare silicate mineral belonging to the gatelite group, known primarily from the Saint-Vincent region in Italy. It typically occurs as small colorless tabular crystals within metasomatized carbonate zones, often requiring careful microscopic identification to distinguish from common epidote-group minerals.
Is this gatelite-(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 gatelite-(ce) with a known reference. Gatelite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 6-7, 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed, euhedral crystals, striated.
Often confused with
Gatelite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gatelite-(Ce) leaves white, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Gatelite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gatelite-(Ce) leaves white, Epidote leaves grayish white.
Often found alongside gatelite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with gatelite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Ce)₄(Al,Mg,Fe)₄(Si₂O₇)(SiO₄)₃(O,F,OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 4.51 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed, euhedral crystals, striated
- Cleavage
- Good on {100}; imperfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In dolomitic portions of a talc deposit
Where rockhounds find gatelite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Trimouns talc deposit, Luzenac, Ariège, French Pyrenees
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In dolomitic portions of a talc deposit. If you start seeing pyrite, aeschynite-, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed, euhedral crystals, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify gatelite-(ce)?+
Where is gatelite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like gatelite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with gatelite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does gatelite-(ce) form in?+
What is gatelite-(ce) used for?+
Find gatelite-(ce) on the map
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