Tundrite-(Ce) is a very rare silicate mineral typically found as small, thin, yellowish tabular crystals. It is almost exclusively found in alkaline pegmatites within the Kola Peninsula of Russia, often appearing in association with minerals like aegirine and eudialyte. Due to its scarcity and fragile crystal habit, it is primarily sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this tundrite-(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 tundrite-(ce) with a known reference. Tundrite-(Ce) sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellowish gray to white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish yellow, greenish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: acicular, striated.
Often confused with
Tundrite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tundrite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with tundrite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Ce₂TiO₂SiO₄(CO₃)₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 3.70-4.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish gray to white
- Luster
- Vitreous to adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, striated
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In pegmatite veins associated with nepheline syenites
Where rockhounds find tundrite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Lepkhe-Nelm, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Southern Greenland, from the Ilímaussaq intrusion, at Kringlerne, on the Kangerdluarssuk Plateau, and at Kvanefjeld
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In pegmatite veins associated with nepheline syenites. If you start seeing aegirine, lamprophyllite, lorenzenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tundrite-(ce)?+
Where is tundrite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like tundrite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with tundrite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does tundrite-(ce) form in?+
What is tundrite-(ce) used for?+
Find tundrite-(ce) on the map
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