Melanocerite-(Ce)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Melanocerite-(Ce)
Formula:
(Ce,Ca)5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,O)
Often contains Th.
Colour:
Brown to black
Lustre:
Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
4.13 - 4.30
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named by P.T. Cleve from the Greek for black (μέλας) and cerium, after the appearance and content of cerium. A preliminary description was given by Brøgger (1887), and more detailed in Brøgger (1890).
Probably a Ca-REE borosilicate within the apatite supergroup.
"To be potentially discredited [= tritomite-(Ce)]" according to Pasero et al. (2010).
"To be potentially discredited [= tritomite-(Ce)]" according to Pasero et al. (2010).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2629
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2629:7
IMA Classification of Melanocerite-(Ce)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ce3+5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,O)
First published:
1887
Classification of Melanocerite-(Ce)
9.AJ.20
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
54.2.5.3
54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
2 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with B in [4] coordination
54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
2 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with B in [4] coordination
17.5.20
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mcrt-Ce | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Melanocerite-(Ce)
Resinous, Greasy
Colour:
Brown to black
Comment:
Yellow translucent in thin splinters
Streak:
Pale brown
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
None
None
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
4.13 - 4.30 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Melanocerite-(Ce)
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.73 nε = 1.72
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
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:
Moderate
Chemistry of Melanocerite-(Ce)
Mindat Formula:
(Ce,Ca)5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,O)
Often contains Th.
Often contains Th.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Melanocerite-(Ce)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Morphology:
Thick tabular crystals with a rhombohedral habit, terminated by a pinacoid (at the TL)
Comment:
Generally metamict. Space group unknown. Heating to 600°C gives apatite-like powder pattern.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Melanocerite-(Ce)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Deepbrown to black platy crystals, from a few mm to a about 2 cm in size, embedded in feldspar
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Stockholm, Sweden inventory nr 531071–72
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A syenite pegmatite dike
Synonyms of Melanocerite-(Ce)
Other Language Names for Melanocerite-(Ce)
Varieties of Melanocerite-(Ce)
| Alumomelanocerite | Aluminina Melanocerite |
| Caryocerite | Possibly a thorian Melanocerite-(Ce). First described by Brögger (1890) from the Arøy skerries, Langesundsfjord, Vestfold, Norway. |
| Freyalite | Thorium-rich variety of melanocerite-(Ce) which has been altered with subsequent leaching of Na,Ca,and F. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Melanocerite-(Ce) associated with Feldspar Group | |
| 1 photo of Melanocerite-(Ce) associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 1 photo of Melanocerite-(Ce) associated with Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O |
| 1 photo of Melanocerite-(Ce) associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 1 photo of Melanocerite-(Ce) associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AJ. | Hingganite-(Nd) | Nd2◻Be2Si2O8(OH)2 |
| 9.AJ. | Arrheniusite-(Ce) | CaMg[(Ce7Y3)Ca5](SiO4)4(Si2B3AsO18)(BO3)F11 |
| 9.AJ.05 | Ominelite | (Fe2+,Mg)(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(BO3)O2 |
| 9.AJ.05 | Grandidierite | (Mg,Fe2+)(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(BO3)O2 |
| 9.AJ.10 | Dumortierite | Al(Al2O)(Al2O)2(SiO4)3(BO3) |
| 9.AJ.10 | Nioboholtite | (Nb0.6◻0.4)Al6BSi3O18 |
| 9.AJ.10 | Titanoholtite | (Ti0.75◻0.25)Al6BSi3O18 |
| 9.AJ.10 | Holtite | (Ta0.6◻0.4)Al6BSi3O18(O,OH)2.25 |
| 9.AJ.10 | Magnesiodumortierite | Mg(Al2OH)(Al2O)2(SiO4)3(BO3) |
| 9.AJ.15 | Garrelsite | Ba3NaSi2B7O16(OH)4 |
| 9.AJ.20 | 'Muromontite' | near Be2FeY2Si3O12 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Gadolinite-(Nd) | Nd2Fe2+Be2O2(SiO4)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Datolite | CaB(SiO4)(OH) |
| 9.AJ.20 | Gadolinite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Nd,Y)2Fe2+Be2Si2O10 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Gadolinite-(Y) | Y2Fe2+Be2Si2O10 |
| 9.AJ.20 | 'Unnamed (OH-analogue of Gadolinite-(Y))' | (Y,Ca)2(Fe,◻)Be2Si2O8(OH,O)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Hingganite-(Ce) | (Ce,REE)2(◻,Fe2+)Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Hingganite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca)2(◻,Fe2+)Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Hingganite-(Yb) | (Yb,Y,REE)2◻Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Homilite | Ca2(Fe2+,Mg)B2Si2O10 |
| 9.AJ.20 | 'Minasgeraisite-(Y)' | (Ca2Y2)◻2(Be2B2)[SiO4]4(OH)4 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Calcybeborosilite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)2(◻,Fe2+)(B,Be)2[SiO4]2(OH,O)2 |
| 9.AJ.25 | Stillwellite-(La) | LaBSiO5 |
| 9.AJ.25 | Stillwellite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Ca)BSiO5 |
| 9.AJ.30 | Cappelenite-(Y) | Ba(Y,Ce)6Si3B6O24F2 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Laptevite-(Ce) | Ca6(Fe2+,Mn2+)Y3REE7(SiO4)3(PO4)(B3Si3O18)(BO3)F11 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Proshchenkoite-(Y) | Ca(Y,REE,Ca,Na,Mn)15Fe2+(P,Si)Si6B3O34F14 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Okanoganite-(Y) | (Na,Ca)3(Y,Ce)12Si6B2O27F14 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Hundholmenite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca,Na)15(Al,Fe3+)(CaxAs3+1-x)(Si,As5+)Si6B3(O,F)48 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Vicanite-(Ce) | (Ca,Ce,La,Th)15As5+(As3+0.5,Na0.5)Fe3+Si6B4O40F7 |
| 9.AJ.40 | Jadarite | LiNaSiB3O7(OH) |
Other Information
Notes:
Weakly to strongly radioactive
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 Melanocerite-(Ce)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2629.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Melanocerite-(Ce)
Localities for Melanocerite-(Ce)
Showing 17 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.
Canada | |
| Grice (1989) |
| Richard Gunter Collection. |
| Royal Ontario Museum specimen M22568 | |
| Sabina (1986) | |
China | |
| [var: Caryocerite] Dahlkamp (2009) |
Czech Republic | |
| Tvrdý et al. (2021) |
Norway | |
| [var: Freyalite] Andersen et al. (1985) | |
| [var: Caryocerite] Andersen et al. (1996) |
| Brøgger (1890) |
| Brögger (1887) +1 other reference |
| [var: Freyalite] Brøgger (1890) |
Romania | |
| Pál Molnár (2000) |
Russia | |
| Vladykin et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
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Kjeøya, Barkevik area, Larvik Commune, Vestfold, Norway