Sazhinite-(Ce) is a rare sodium-cerium silicate typically found in hyperagpaitic alkaline igneous rocks. It usually appears as small, prismatic to tabular white or colorless crystals, often occurring in cavities associated with other rare alkaline minerals.
Is this sazhinite-(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 sazhinite-(ce) with a known reference. Sazhinite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sazhinite-(Ce) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sazhinite-(Ce) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale pink, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals or radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Sazhinite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside sazhinite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with sazhinite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂CeSi₆O₁₄(OH)·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals or Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find sazhinite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where sazhinite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing microcline, aegirine, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals or radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sazhinite-(ce)?+
Where is sazhinite-(ce) found?+
How much is sazhinite-(ce) worth?+
What rocks look like sazhinite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with sazhinite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does sazhinite-(ce) form in?+
What is sazhinite-(ce) used for?+
Find sazhinite-(ce) on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
