Lucasite-(Ce) is a rare rare-earth titanium hydroxide mineral primarily found in carbonatite deposits. It typically forms small, fragile, platy crystals that are often identified by their characteristic brownish-yellow color and perfect basal cleavage. Collectors usually seek out specimens from its type locality at the Mount Weld carbonatite in Western Australia.
Is this lucasite-(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 lucasite-(ce) with a known reference. Lucasite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lucasite-(Ce) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lucasite-(Ce) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish yellow, pale brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, often as thin, pseudo-hexagonal plates.
Often confused with
Lucasite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Monazite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3-4); luster reads vitreous on Lucasite-(Ce) and resinous on Monazite.
How to tell apart: Anatase is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3-4); streak differs — Lucasite-(Ce) leaves white, Anatase leaves white to pale yellow; luster reads vitreous on Lucasite-(Ce) and adamantine on Anatase.
Often found alongside lucasite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with lucasite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CeTi₂O₆(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.67 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Often as Thin, Pseudo-hexagonal Plates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Carbonatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find lucasite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Mount Weld carbonatite, Western Australia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Bear Lodge Mountains, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in carbonatites country — that is the host setting where lucasite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing monazite-(ce), anatase, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, often as thin, pseudo-hexagonal plates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lucasite-(ce)?+
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How much is lucasite-(ce) worth?+
What rocks look like lucasite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with lucasite-(ce)?+
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Find lucasite-(ce) on the map
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