Nöggerathite-(Ce) is an extremely rare zirconium silicate mineral primarily found in alkaline igneous complexes. It typically appears as small, yellowish to brownish tabular crystals and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare earth species.
Is this nöggerathite-(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 nöggerathite-(ce) with a known reference. Nöggerathite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brownish red.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, very dark reddish brown, almost black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Nöggerathite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 5.5); streak differs, so Nöggerathite-(Ce) leaves brownish red, Zircon leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Nöggerathite-(Ce) and vitreous to adamantine; greasy when metamict on Zircon.
How to tell apart: Baddeleyite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5 vs. 5.5); streak differs, so Nöggerathite-(Ce) leaves brownish red, Baddeleyite leaves white to brownish white; luster reads adamantine on Nöggerathite-(Ce) and greasy to vitreous; nearly submetallic in black crystals on Baddeleyite.
Often found alongside nöggerathite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with nöggerathite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ce,Ca)₂Zr₂(Nb,Ti)(Ti,Nb)₂FeO₁₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 5.332 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish red
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In cavities in sanidinite volcanic ejectum
Where rockhounds find nöggerathite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- In den Dellen (Zieglowski) pumice quarry, 1.5 km northeast of Mendig, Laach Lake (Laacher See) paleovolcano, Eifel region, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In cavities in sanidinite volcanic ejectum. If you start seeing sanidine, dark mica, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nöggerathite-(ce)?+
Where is nöggerathite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like nöggerathite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with nöggerathite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does nöggerathite-(ce) form in?+
What is nöggerathite-(ce) used for?+
Find nöggerathite-(ce) on the map
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