Fluocerite-(Ce)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Fluocerite-(Ce)
Formula:
CeF3
Colour:
Light yellow; darkening to yellow- and red-brown; colourless to pale pink (transmitted light)
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous, Pearly
Hardness:
4½ - 5
Specific Gravity:
5.93 - 6.14
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
In allusion to its composition containing FLUOrine and CERium, plus the "-(Ce)" suffix due to cerium being the dominant rare earth element (REE).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1567
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1567:3
Similar Names
| Fluocerite | A synonym | |
| Fluocerite-(La) | A valid IMA mineral species | LaF3 |
| Flusscerit |
IMA Classification of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ce3+F3
Classification of Fluocerite-(Ce)
3.AC.15
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
C : M:X = 1:3
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
C : M:X = 1:3
9.3.4.1
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
3 : AX3
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
3 : AX3
8.7.1
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
7 : Halides of the rare earth metals
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
7 : Halides of the rare earth metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fcrt-Ce | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Vitreous, Resinous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Light yellow; darkening to yellow- and red-brown; colourless to pale pink (transmitted light)
Streak:
Off-white
Hardness:
4½ - 5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{0001} distinct; {11_20} indistinct.
{0001} distinct; {11_20} indistinct.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
5.93 - 6.14 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.612 - 1.618 nε = 1.607 - 1.611
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.005 - 0.007
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Mindat Formula:
CeF3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3c1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.131 Å, c = 7.286 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.022
Unit Cell V:
320.86 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic [0001] or tabular {0001}. Massive, coarsely granular.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009548 | Fluocerite-(Ce) | Cheetham A K, Fender B E F, Fuess H, Wright A F (1976) A powder neutron diffraction study of lanthanum and cerium trifluorides Acta Crystallographica B32 94-97 |  | 1976 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0017893 | Fluocerite-(Ce) | Oftedal I (1929) Ueber die Kristallstruktur von Tysonit und einigen kuenstlich dargestellten Lanthanidenfluoriden _cod_database_code 1010976 Zeitschrift fur Physikalische Chemie 5 272-292 | 1929 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Synonyms of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Cérium fluaté (in part)
Fluocerite (in part)
Flusscerit (in part)
Flusscerium (in part)
Neutrales flussaures Cerer (in part)
Neutral Fluate of Cerium (in part)
Neutralt flusspatssyradt (in part)
Other Language Names for Fluocerite-(Ce)
Dutch:Fluoceriet-(Ce)
French:Flucérine (in part)
Russian:Флюоцерит-(Ce)
Swedish:Neutralt Fluss-spatsyrat Cerium
Neutralt flussspatssyradt (in part)
Neutralt flussspatssyradt (in part)
Varieties of Fluocerite-(Ce)
| Oxyfluocerite-(Ce) | O-bearing variety. The formula given by Voznyak et al. (2017) is (La0.22Ce0.54Nd0.09Pr0.04Th0.06Ca0.05)1.00O0.49F2.01. Unapproved name. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 16 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
| 6 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Rutile | TiO2 |
| 5 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 5 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Allanite-(Ce) | (CaCe)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 4 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Monazite-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) |
| 3 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 3 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Hingganite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca)2(◻,Fe2+)Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Rankachite | Ca0.5(V4+,V5+)(W6+,Fe3+)2O8(OH) · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with 'Yttrofluorite' | (Ca1-xYx)F2+x where 0.05 < x < 0.3 |
| 3 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.AC.05 | Zharchikhite | AlF(OH)2 |
| 3.AC.10 | Molysite | FeCl3 |
| 3.AC.15 | Fluocerite-(La) | LaF3 |
| 3.AC.20 | Gananite | BiF3 |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2SO4 but virtually unaffected by HCl or HNO3.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Fluocerite-(Ce)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1567.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Fluocerite-(Ce)
Reference List:
Wesley, R. D., DeKock, C. W. (1971) Geometry and Infrared Spectra of Matrix‐Isolated Rare‐Earth Halides. I. LaF3, CeF3, PrF3, NdF3, SmF3, and EuF3. The Journal of Chemical Physics, 55 (8) 3866-3877 doi:10.1063/1.1676673
Afanasiev, M. L., Habuda, S. P., Lundin, A. G. (1972) The symmetry and basic structures of LaF3, CeF3, PrF3 and NdF3. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 28 (10) 2903-2905 doi:10.1107/s0567740872007198
Cheetham, A. K., Fender, B. E. F., Fuess, H., Wright, A. F. (1976) A powder neutron diffraction study of lanthanum and cerium trifluorides. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 32 (1) 94-97 doi:10.1107/s0567740876002380
Laiho, R., Lakkisto, M. (1983) Investigation of the refractive indices of LaF3, CeF3, PrF3 and NdF3. Philosophical Magazine B, 48 (2). 203-207 doi:10.1080/13642818308226470
Localities for Fluocerite-(Ce)
Showing 60 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Wulser PA et al. U-Th-REE mobility in ... |
Brazil | |
| Horbe et al. (1999) +4 other references |
| Menezes (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Hussak et al. (1900) |
Canada | |
| Ducharme (2020) |
| a reaction path model +2 other references | |
China | |
| Zhang Peishan et al. (1996) |
| Zhang Peishan et al. (1996) | |
| Wu et al. (2021) +1 other reference |
| Yin et al. (2015) |
Egypt | |
| Mahdy et al. (2025) +1 other reference |
Finland | |
| Ilkka Mikkola collection |
| Chemical analysis (Laht i & Suominen 1988) |
France | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection and EDX ... |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) +2 other references |
| taunusmineralien.de (2013) |
| Jahn (1999) |
Italy | |
| Gentile et al. (2023) |
Japan | |
| Imaoka et al. (1994) |
Kazakhstan | |
| СВЕТЛАНА Н. НЕНАШЕВА (2021) |
Namibia | |
| Niedermayr (2010) |
Nigeria | |
| Styles et al. (1983) |
Norway | |
| Neumann et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
| Frigstad (1999) | |
| Neumann et al. (1963) |
| Neumann (1959) +1 other reference |
| Husdal (2008) | |
| Neumann (1959) +1 other reference |
| Sverdrup et al. (1965) +1 other reference |
| Larsen (1982) | |
Portugal | |
| Samples collected by Luigi Chiappino ... +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Alekseev (2025) |
| Alekseev (2025) +1 other reference |
| Alekseev (2025) | |
| ... |
| P.M. Karashov data |
South Africa | |
| S. Weinert (2006) +2 other references |
| Atanasova et al. (2016) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Sweden (TL) | |
| Nordstrom (1872) +1 other reference |
| Gahn et al. (1815) +2 other references |
| Weibull (1886) |
| in the collection of NHM Stockholm |
| Öhman et al. (2004) |
| Andersson et al. (2024) | |
Ukraine | |
| [var: Oxyfluocerite-(Ce)] Voznyak et al. (2017) |
USA | |
| USGS Bulletin 2160 |
| Freeport-McMoRan |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Müller et al. (2011) | |
| Rocks & Minerals: 64: 471. +1 other reference |
| Jim Hall |
| Rocks & Minerals: 63: 457. |
| Rocks & Minerals (1990) |
| Nashua Min Soc. Disp. Cat. 1995 +1 other reference |
| John H. Betts (2009) |
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Little Patsy pegmatite, South Platte Pegmatite Mining District, Jefferson County, Colorado, USA