Fluorbritholite-(Ce) is a rare silicate mineral belonging to the apatite supergroup, characterized by its cerium-rich composition. It usually occurs as earthy or resinous brown masses in alkaline pegmatites and is often radioactive due to its rare earth element content.
Is this fluorbritholite-(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 fluorbritholite-(ce) with a known reference. Fluorbritholite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluorbritholite-(Ce) leaves a colorless to pale brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fluorbritholite-(Ce) typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown, yellow, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Fluorbritholite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fluorbritholite-(Ce) leaves colorless to pale brown, Apatite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Fluorbritholite-(Ce) and vitreous on Apatite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fluorbritholite-(Ce) leaves colorless to pale brown, Britholite-(Y) leaves faint brown; luster reads adamantine on Fluorbritholite-(Ce) and resinous to dull on Britholite-(Y).
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fluorbritholite-(Ce) leaves colorless to pale brown, Monazite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Fluorbritholite-(Ce) and resinous on Monazite.
Often found alongside fluorbritholite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluorbritholite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ce,Ca,Y)₅(SiO₄,PO₄)₃F
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 4.5-4.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Colorless to Pale Brown
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Syenite Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find fluorbritholite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Norra Kärr, Sweden
- Langesundsfjord, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, syenite pegmatites country, the host setting where fluorbritholite-(ce) typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fluorbritholite-(ce)?+
Where is fluorbritholite-(ce) found?+
Is fluorbritholite-(ce) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like fluorbritholite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with fluorbritholite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does fluorbritholite-(ce) form in?+
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Find fluorbritholite-(ce) on the map
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