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. Törnebohmite-(Ce) leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Törnebohmite-(Ce) typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellowish-green, olive-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 — 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).
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
- 4.8-4.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive, Or Occasionally as Small Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarns and Rare-earth Element-rich Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find törnebohmite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Bastnäs, Sweden
- Mountain Pass, California, USA
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Burpala, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarns and rare-earth element-rich deposits country — that is the host setting where törnebohmite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing bastnäsite, cerite, allanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive, or occasionally as small prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify törnebohmite-(ce)?+
Where is törnebohmite-(ce) found?+
How much is törnebohmite-(ce) worth?+
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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