Kihlmanite-(Ce) is an extremely rare cerium-dominant silicate carbonate typically found in alkaline pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula. It occurs as small, delicate platy or tabular crystals and is highly prized by advanced mineralogists for its complex chemistry and scarcity.
Is this kihlmanite-(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 kihlmanite-(ce) with a known reference. Kihlmanite-(Ce) sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellowish brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, silky in aggregates.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Kihlmanite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kihlmanite-(Ce) leaves pale yellowish brown, Tundrite-(Ce) leaves yellowish gray to white.
How to tell apart: Titanite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. ~3); streak differs, so Kihlmanite-(Ce) leaves pale yellowish brown, Titanite leaves white; luster reads vitreous, silky in aggregates on Kihlmanite-(Ce) and adamantine to resinous on Titanite.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ce₂TiO₂(SiO₄)(HCO₃)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 3.66 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellowish brown
- Luster
- Vitreous, silky in aggregates
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, tabular aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on (010); parting ⊥ [001]
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a symmetrically-zoned pegmatite vein of arfvedsonite-aegirine-microcline in fenitized metavolcanic rock
Where rockhounds find kihlmanite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Kihlman, near the western contact of the Khibiny alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a symmetrically-zoned pegmatite vein of arfvedsonite-aegirine-microcline in fenitized metavolcanic rock. If you start seeing tundrite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kihlmanite-(ce)?+
Where is kihlmanite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like kihlmanite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with kihlmanite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does kihlmanite-(ce) form in?+
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Find kihlmanite-(ce) on the map
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