Röntgenite-(Ce) is a rare rare-earth carbonate mineral primarily found in alkaline igneous environments. It typically occurs as small, pale yellow to brown tabular crystals, often forming intergrowths with related minerals like parisite and bastnäsite.
Is this röntgenite-(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 röntgenite-(ce) with a known reference. Röntgenite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Röntgenite-(Ce) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Röntgenite-(Ce) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals or complex rhombohedral aggregates.
Often confused with
Röntgenite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside röntgenite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with röntgenite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCe₂(CO₃)₄F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals or Complex Rhombohedral Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find röntgenite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Narsarsuk, Greenland
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where röntgenite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals or complex rhombohedral aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify röntgenite-(ce)?+
Where is röntgenite-(ce) found?+
How much is röntgenite-(ce) worth?+
What rocks look like röntgenite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with röntgenite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does röntgenite-(ce) form in?+
What is röntgenite-(ce) used for?+
Find röntgenite-(ce) on the map
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