Tritomite-(Ce) is a rare silicate mineral belonging to the apatite supergroup, primarily found in complex alkaline igneous environments. It is characterized by its resinous luster and dark brown to black coloration, often occurring as small equant crystals or irregular masses within nepheline syenite pegmatites.
Is this tritomite-(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 tritomite-(ce) with a known reference. Tritomite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellowish grey.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: metamict, pyramidal.
Often confused with
Tritomite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tritomite-(Ce) leaves yellowish grey, Apatite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Tritomite-(Ce) and vitreous on Apatite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tritomite-(Ce) leaves yellowish grey, Monazite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tritomite-(Ce) leaves yellowish grey, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads resinous on Tritomite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.
Often found alongside tritomite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with tritomite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ce₅(SiO₄,BO₄)₃(OH,O)
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 3.72-3.81 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish grey
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Metamict, pyramidal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In nepheline syenite pegmatites (Langesundsfjord, Norway)
Where rockhounds find tritomite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Låven, Stokø, Arø, and other islands in the Langesundsfjord, from Brevik, and from Barkevik, Norway
- Cardi® property, and in the Faraday mine, Bancroft district, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In nepheline syenite pegmatites (Langesundsfjord, Norway). If you start seeing aegirine, leucophanite, analcime in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: metamict, pyramidal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tritomite-(ce)?+
Where is tritomite-(ce) found?+
Is tritomite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like tritomite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with tritomite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does tritomite-(ce) form in?+
What is tritomite-(ce) used for?+
Find tritomite-(ce) on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
