Hingganite-(Ce) is a rare beryllium silicate mineral belonging to the gadolinite group, primarily found in complex granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, brownish, prismatic crystals and is prized by advanced mineral collectors for its complex chemistry and relative scarcity.
Is this hingganite-(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 hingganite-(ce) with a known reference. Hingganite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hingganite-(Ce) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hingganite-(Ce) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish-brown, brown, greenish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Hingganite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Hingganite-(Ce) is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 5-5.5).
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hingganite-(Ce) leaves white, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Hingganite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.
Often found alongside hingganite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with hingganite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ce,REE,Ca)₂□Be₂Si₂O₈(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 4.2-4.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hingganite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia, China
- Norway
- Sweden
- Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where hingganite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing albite, microcline, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hingganite-(ce)?+
Where is hingganite-(ce) found?+
How much is hingganite-(ce) worth?+
Is hingganite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like hingganite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with hingganite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does hingganite-(ce) form in?+
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Find hingganite-(ce) on the map
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