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 2-3, 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 to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, gray white, pearl white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy, prismatic, tabular.
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
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.61 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy, prismatic, tabular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}, {010}, {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As disseminations in natrolite and rims around altered steenstrupine in an alkalic pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Lovozero massif, Russia)
Where rockhounds find sazhinite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Jubilee pegmatite, on Mt. Karnasurt, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As disseminations in natrolite and rims around altered steenstrupine in an alkalic pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Lovozero massif, Russia). If you start seeing natrolite, steenstrupine, neptunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy, prismatic, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sazhinite-(ce)?+
Where is sazhinite-(ce) found?+
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
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