Polezhaevaite-(Ce) is a rare rare-earth element carbonate found primarily in alkaline pegmatites. It typically forms small, snowy-white tabular crystals that are difficult to distinguish from other rare earth carbonates without chemical analysis.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Silky (aggregates)

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareBastnäsite Group family

Polezhaevaite-(Ce)

Hardness: ~3
Luster: Silky (aggregates)
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this polezhaevaite-(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 polezhaevaite-(ce) with a known reference. Polezhaevaite-(Ce) sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky (aggregates).
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: snowy-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Bastnäsite

Mohs 4-5

How to tell apart: Bastnäsite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. ~3); luster reads silky (aggregates) on Polezhaevaite-(Ce) and vitreous to greasy on Bastnäsite.

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Often found alongside polezhaevaite-(ce)

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaSrCeF₆
Mohs hardness: ~3
Density: 4.646 g/cm³
Colors: Snowy-white
Streak: White
Luster: Silky (aggregates)
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Platy crystals, tabular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a natrolitized microcline-aegirine-sodalite lens in apatite-rich urtite

Where rockhounds find polezhaevaite-(ce)

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a natrolitized microcline-aegirine-sodalite lens in apatite-rich urtite. If you start seeing aegirine, albite, arfvedsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify polezhaevaite-(ce)?+

Mohs hardness is ~3. Luster: silky (aggregates). The streak is white. Common colors include snowy-white.

Where is polezhaevaite-(ce) found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like polezhaevaite-(ce)?+

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

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

Polezhaevaite-(Ce) commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Albite, Arfvedsonite, Astrophyllite, Burbankite, Catapleiite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

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

Where it forms: In a natrolitized microcline-aegirine-sodalite lens in apatite-rich urtite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is polezhaevaite-(ce) used for?+

Polezhaevaite-(Ce) is used in collector.

Find polezhaevaite-(ce) on the map

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