Percleveite-(Ce) is a rare silicate mineral primarily found in rare-earth-rich pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, brownish tabular crystals and is distinguished from more common silicates by its specific chemical signature and association with REE-bearing minerals.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrarePercleveite Group family

Percleveite-(Ce)

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this percleveite-(ce)?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch percleveite-(ce) with a known reference. Percleveite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Percleveite-(Ce) leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Percleveite-(Ce) typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Percleveite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Allanite

Mohs 5.5-6

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Percleveite-(Ce) leaves white, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Percleveite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.

Often found alongside percleveite-(ce)

Minerals reported to co-occur with percleveite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (Ce,REE,Ca)₂(Si,Al)₂O₇
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 4.3-4.5 g/cm³
Colors: Brown Reddish-brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find percleveite-(ce)

Classic worldwide localities

Sweden
Russia
Norway

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where percleveite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify percleveite-(ce)?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include brown, reddish-brown.

Where is percleveite-(ce) found?+

Notable localities include Sweden; Russia; Norway.

How much is percleveite-(ce) worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like percleveite-(ce)?+

Percleveite-(Ce) is most often confused with Allanite, Ekanite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with percleveite-(ce)?+

Percleveite-(Ce) commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Microcline, Albite, Fluocerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does percleveite-(ce) form in?+

Percleveite-(Ce) typically forms in alkaline pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is percleveite-(ce) used for?+

Percleveite-(Ce) is used in collector.

Find percleveite-(ce) on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.