Phosinaite-(Ce) is a rare silicate-phosphate mineral found almost exclusively in the highly alkaline agpaitic pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula. It typically occurs as small prismatic to lath-like crystals that are notable for their strong white fluorescence under short-wave ultraviolet light.
Is this phosinaite-(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 phosinaite-(ce) with a known reference. Phosinaite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, pink, light brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: columnar.
Often confused with
Phosinaite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside phosinaite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with phosinaite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₁₃Ca₂Ce(SiO₃)₄(PO₄)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.62-3.00 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Columnar
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}, imperfect on {010} and {011}
- Fluorescence
- Bright white under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Filling interstices between large crystals of anorthoclase in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif (Khibiny massif, Russia)
Where rockhounds find phosinaite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Koashva, Khibiny massif, and Mt. Karnasurt, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Filling interstices between large crystals of anorthoclase in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif (Khibiny massif, Russia). If you start seeing anorthoclase, nepheline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: columnar. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify phosinaite-(ce)?+
Where is phosinaite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like phosinaite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with phosinaite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does phosinaite-(ce) form in?+
What is phosinaite-(ce) used for?+
Find phosinaite-(ce) on the map
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