Hingganite-(Ce) is a rare beryllium silicate mineral belonging to the gadolinite group, primarily found in complex granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, pale tan, 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 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: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale tan, reddish 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: Streak differs, so Hingganite-(Ce) leaves white, Gadolinite-(Y) leaves greenish gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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
- BeCe(SiO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.82 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale tanReddish brown
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None detected
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In drusy pegmatite
Where rockhounds find hingganite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Iwaguro Sekizai quarry, Tahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In drusy pegmatite. If you start seeing quartz, potassium feldspar, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hingganite-(ce)?+
Where is hingganite-(ce) found?+
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?+
What is hingganite-(ce) used for?+
Find hingganite-(ce) on the map
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