Bussyite-(Ce) is a rare beryllium-silicate mineral found within alkaline igneous environments, specifically agpaitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as small yellowish-pale pinkish orange tabular crystals and is prized almost exclusively by advanced systematic mineral collectors due to its extreme rarity.
Is this bussyite-(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 bussyite-(ce) with a known reference. Bussyite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 4, 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: pale pinkish orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular.
Often confused with
Bussyite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Gadolinite-(Y) is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4); streak differs, so Bussyite-(Ce) leaves white, Gadolinite-(Y) leaves greenish gray.
How to tell apart: Vesuvianite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4).
Often found alongside bussyite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with bussyite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ce,REE)₃(Na,H₂O)₆MnSi₉Be₅(O,OH)₃₀F₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale pinkish orange
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {101̄}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late-stage hydrothermal mineral associated with a nepheline syenite-hosted pegmatite
Where rockhounds find bussyite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Poudrette pegmatite dike, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late-stage hydrothermal mineral associated with a nepheline syenite-hosted pegmatite. If you start seeing serandite, aegirine, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bussyite-(ce)?+
Where is bussyite-(ce) found?+
Is bussyite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like bussyite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with bussyite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does bussyite-(ce) form in?+
What is bussyite-(ce) used for?+
Find bussyite-(ce) on the map
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