Laptevite-(Ce) is an extremely rare silicate mineral found primarily within the alkaline massif of the Dara-i-Pioz glacier. It typically occurs as small, yellow to brown prismatic crystals embedded in pegmatite boulders and requires professional analytical identification due to its similarity to other silicate species.
Is this laptevite-(ce)?
4-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 laptevite-(ce) with a known reference. Laptevite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 4-4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to greasy.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Laptevite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside laptevite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with laptevite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaFe((Ce,REE)₇Ca₅Y₃)(SiO₄)₄(Si₃B₂PO₁₈)(BO₃)F₁₁
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 4.61 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A mineral of hydrothermal origin, discovered in a glacial moraine boulder of calcite-bafertisite-aegirine-microcline rock
Where rockhounds find laptevite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Darai-Pioz glacier, at the junction of the Turkestan, Zeravshan, and Alay Mt. Ranges, Tien-Shan, Garmskii district, Northern Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A mineral of hydrothermal origin, discovered in a glacial moraine boulder of calcite-bafertisite-aegirine-microcline rock. If you start seeing quartz, fluorite, polylithionite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify laptevite-(ce)?+
Where is laptevite-(ce) found?+
Is laptevite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like laptevite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with laptevite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does laptevite-(ce) form in?+
What is laptevite-(ce) used for?+
Find laptevite-(ce) on the map
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