Hydroxykenopyrochlore is a rare cerium barium niobium hydroxide that forms lemon-yellow to yellow parts of irregular grains. It occurs in nb-ore from weathered alkaline carbonatite. It is associated with baryte and magnetite. It was first described from the Nb-ore deposit of Compania Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM), Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Is this hydroxykenopyrochlore?
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 hydroxykenopyrochlore with a known reference. Hydroxykenopyrochlore sits at Mohs 4.5, 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 to sub-adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lemon-yellow, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: parts of irregular grains.
Often confused with
Hydroxykenopyrochlore vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hydroxykenopyrochlore
Minerals reported to co-occur with hydroxykenopyrochlore. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (☐,Ce,Ba)₂(Nb,Ti)₂O₆(OH,F)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.36 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to sub-adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Parts of irregular grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In Nb-ore from weathered alkaline carbonatite
Where rockhounds find hydroxykenopyrochlore
Classic worldwide localities
- Compania Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM), Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In Nb-ore from weathered alkaline carbonatite. If you start seeing ba-bearing hydrokenopyrochlore, baryte, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: parts of irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hydroxykenopyrochlore?+
Where is hydroxykenopyrochlore found?+
Is hydroxykenopyrochlore safe to handle?+
What rocks look like hydroxykenopyrochlore?+
What minerals are found with hydroxykenopyrochlore?+
What kind of rock does hydroxykenopyrochlore form in?+
What is hydroxykenopyrochlore used for?+
Find hydroxykenopyrochlore on the map
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