Qaqarssukite-(Ce) is a rare barium-cerium carbonate fluoride mineral typically found as small, platy crystals or granular masses within carbonatite complexes. Collectors prize this mineral for its scarcity and specific type locality in Greenland, where it is often associated with other carbonate and accessory minerals. Identification usually requires professional chemical analysis due to its visual similarity to more common rare-earth-bearing carbonates.
Is this qaqarssukite-(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 qaqarssukite-(ce) with a known reference. Qaqarssukite-(Ce) sits at Mohs 3-4, 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: adamantine to greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: euhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Qaqarssukite-(Ce) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside qaqarssukite-(ce)
Minerals reported to co-occur with qaqarssukite-(ce). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaCe(CO₃)₂F
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 5.02 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine to greasy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Found in the core of the intrusion, in the REE carbonatite as potential REE ore
Where rockhounds find qaqarssukite-(ce)
Classic worldwide localities
- Qaqarssuk carbonatite complex, southern West Greenland (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Found in the core of the intrusion, in the REE carbonatite as potential REE ore. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify qaqarssukite-(ce)?+
Where is qaqarssukite-(ce) found?+
What rocks look like qaqarssukite-(ce)?+
What minerals are found with qaqarssukite-(ce)?+
What kind of rock does qaqarssukite-(ce) form in?+
What is qaqarssukite-(ce) used for?+
Find qaqarssukite-(ce) on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
