Rémondite-(Ce) is a rare rare-earth carbonate mineral found primarily in agpaitic alkaline igneous rocks. It typically forms small, clear, tabular hexagonal crystals often embedded in pegmatite vugs associated with other sodium-rich minerals.
Is this rémondite-(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 rémondite-(ce) with a known reference. Rémondite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 3-3.5, 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: reddish orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Rémondite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rémondite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with rémondite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₃(Ce,Ca,Na)₃(CO₃)₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 3.43 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent in thin splinters
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Imperfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a nepheline syenite (Ebounja, Cameroon); associated with an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada)
Where rockhounds find rémondite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Ebounja, near Kribi, Cameroon
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a nepheline syenite (Ebounja, Cameroon); associated with an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada). If you start seeing burbankite, aegirine, calcite 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 rémondite-(ce)?+
Where is rémondite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like rémondite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with rémondite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does rémondite-(ce) form in?+
What is rémondite-(ce) used for?+
Find rémondite-(ce) on the map
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