Västmanlandite-(Ce) is a rare cerium-dominant mineral within the vesuvianite group, first discovered in the skarn deposits of Västmanland, Sweden. It typically occurs as small prismatic crystals and is physically similar to standard vesuvianite but distinguished by its rare-earth element composition.
Is this västmanlandite-(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 västmanlandite-(ce) with a known reference. Västmanlandite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellowish gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Västmanlandite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Västmanlandite-(Ce) leaves yellowish gray, Vesuvianite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Västmanlandite-(Ce) leaves yellowish gray, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Västmanlandite-(Ce) and submetallic on Allanite.
Often found alongside västmanlandite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with västmanlandite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ce₃CaMg₂Al₂Si₅O₁₉(OH)₂F
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 4.51 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish gray
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- Good on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In disseminated magnetite-amphibole calc-silicate replacements in marble
Where rockhounds find västmanlandite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Malmkärra iron deposit (also the Bastnäs and Östanmossa deposits), Norberg district, Västmanland county, Bergslagen mining region, south-central Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In disseminated magnetite-amphibole calc-silicate replacements in marble. If you start seeing fluorbritholite-, tremolite, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify västmanlandite-(ce)?+
Where is västmanlandite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like västmanlandite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with västmanlandite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does västmanlandite-(ce) form in?+
What is västmanlandite-(ce) used for?+
Find västmanlandite-(ce) on the map
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