Törnebohmite-(Ce) is a rare silicate mineral primarily found in contact metamorphic skarn deposits and carbonatite environments. Collectors usually look for its characteristic olive-green color, typically occurring as massive or granular aggregates alongside other rare-earth minerals like bastnäsite.
Is this törnebohmite-(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 törnebohmite-(ce) with a known reference. Törnebohmite-(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: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, massive, or occasionally as small prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Törnebohmite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Allanite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 4.5); streak differs, so Törnebohmite-(Ce) leaves white, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Törnebohmite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Epidote is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4.5); streak differs, so Törnebohmite-(Ce) leaves white, Epidote leaves grayish white.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Törnebohmite-(Ce) and resinous on Monazite.
Often found alongside törnebohmite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with törnebohmite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ce₂Al(SiO₄)₂(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.94 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, massive, or occasionally as small prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a contact metamorphosed limestone deposit (Bastnäs mine, Sweden)
Where rockhounds find törnebohmite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Teller Co., Colorado, USA
- Bastnäs mine, Riddarhyttan, Västmanland, Sweden
- Jamestown district, Boulder Co., and the Black Cloud pegmatite
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a contact metamorphosed limestone deposit (Bastnäs mine, Sweden). If you start seeing allanite, cerite, bastnäsite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, massive, or occasionally as small prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify törnebohmite-(ce)?+
Where is törnebohmite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like törnebohmite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with törnebohmite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does törnebohmite-(ce) form in?+
What is törnebohmite-(ce) used for?+
Find törnebohmite-(ce) on the map
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