Kukharenkoite-(Ce) is a rare barium-cerium carbonate mineral primarily found in alkaline pegmatites associated with agpaitic rock complexes. Collectors typically look for its distinct colorless to white tabular crystals, which are often found in tight clusters within nepheline-syenite environments.
Is this kukharenkoite-(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 kukharenkoite-(ce) with a known reference. Kukharenkoite-(Ce) 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 greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, yellow, reddish brown, white, pinkish gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: dendritic, prismatic, stellate.
Often confused with
Kukharenkoite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kukharenkoite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with kukharenkoite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₂Ce(CO₃)₃F
- Mohs hardness
- ~4.5
- Density
- 4.71 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent, may be opaque from inclusions
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Dendritic, prismatic, stellate
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In syenitic alkalic massifs and carbonatites
Where rockhounds find kukharenkoite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Tuliylukht Bay and the Kirov apatite mine, Mt. Kukisvumchorr, Khibiny massif, and at the Vuoriyarvi carbonatite complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Bayan Obo Fe–Nb–Re deposit, 130 km north of Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, and from near Saint-Amable, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In syenitic alkalic massifs and carbonatites. If you start seeing belovite-, ancylite-, cebaite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: dendritic, prismatic, stellate. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kukharenkoite-(ce)?+
Where is kukharenkoite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like kukharenkoite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with kukharenkoite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does kukharenkoite-(ce) form in?+
What is kukharenkoite-(ce) used for?+
Find kukharenkoite-(ce) on the map
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