Khristovite-(Ce) is a rare beryllium-bearing silicate mineral belonging to the gadolinite-datolite group. It is primarily found as small, brownish anhedral grains within alkaline pegmatite complexes and is highly prized by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this khristovite-(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 khristovite-(ce) with a known reference. Khristovite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brownish.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic.
Often confused with
Khristovite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Gadolinite-(Y) is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 5); streak differs, so Khristovite-(Ce) leaves brownish, Gadolinite-(Y) leaves greenish gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Khristovite-(Ce) leaves brownish, Datolite leaves white.
Often found alongside khristovite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with khristovite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCe(MgAlMn)(Si₂O₇)(SiO₄)F(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.05-4.11 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Cleavage
- Good on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Occurs in rhodonite in garnet-biotite-quartz-rich exo-contact of the subalkaline granites of the Inyl'chek massif
Where rockhounds find khristovite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- On the northern slope of the Inyl'chek Range, southwestern Tien-shan, Kirgiziya, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Occurs in rhodonite in garnet-biotite-quartz-rich exo-contact of the subalkaline granites of the Inyl'chek massif. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, titanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify khristovite-(ce)?+
Where is khristovite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like khristovite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with khristovite-(ce)?+
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Find khristovite-(ce) on the map
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