Lanthanite-(Ce) is a rare hydrated rare-earth carbonate typically found as a secondary mineral resulting from the alteration of other rare-earth minerals like bastnäsite. It usually presents as delicate, platy crystals or as white to pinkish crusts coating cavities in carbonatite deposits.
Is this lanthanite-(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 lanthanite-(ce) with a known reference. Lanthanite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lanthanite-(Ce) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lanthanite-(Ce) typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, white, yellowish, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, or efflorescences.
Often confused with
Lanthanite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lanthanite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with lanthanite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ce₂(CO₃)₃·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts, Or Efflorescences
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Rare Earth-bearing Carbonatites and Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find lanthanite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Bastnäs, Sweden
- Mountain Pass, California, USA
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in rare earth-bearing carbonatites and hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where lanthanite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing bastnäsite, cerite, allanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, or efflorescences habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lanthanite-(ce)?+
Where is lanthanite-(ce) found?+
How much is lanthanite-(ce) worth?+
What rocks look like lanthanite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with lanthanite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does lanthanite-(ce) form in?+
What is lanthanite-(ce) used for?+
Find lanthanite-(ce) on the map
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