Steenstrupine-(Ce) is a rare complex silicate mineral primarily known from highly alkaline igneous complexes. It typically forms as dark, tabular rhombohedral crystals and is noted for its significant radioactive content due to thorium and uranium inclusion.
Is this steenstrupine-(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 steenstrupine-(ce) with a known reference. Steenstrupine-(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. Streak: brownish, nearly white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown red, dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: blocky, metamict, prismatic.
Often confused with
Steenstrupine-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Steenstrupine-(Ce) leaves brownish, nearly white, Monazite leaves white; luster reads dull on Steenstrupine-(Ce) and resinous on Monazite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Steenstrupine-(Ce) leaves brownish, nearly white, Eudialyte leaves white; luster reads dull on Steenstrupine-(Ce) and vitreous to dull on Eudialyte.
Often found alongside steenstrupine-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with steenstrupine-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₁₄Ce₆Mn₂Fe₂Zr(PO₄)₇Si₁₂O₃₆(OH)₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 3.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish, nearly white
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Blocky, metamict, prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In ultra-agpaitic pegmatites of nepheline-sodalite syenites and syenites
Where rockhounds find steenstrupine-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In ultra-agpaitic pegmatites of nepheline-sodalite syenites and syenites. If you start seeing lepidolite, aegirine, murmanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: blocky, metamict, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify steenstrupine-(ce)?+
Where is steenstrupine-(ce) found?+
Is steenstrupine-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like steenstrupine-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with steenstrupine-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does steenstrupine-(ce) form in?+
What is steenstrupine-(ce) used for?+
Find steenstrupine-(ce) on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
