Cerite-(CeCa)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Cerite-(CeCa)
The dwarf planet Ceres
Formula:
(Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3
formerly given as:
(Ce,La,Ca)9(Mg,Fe3+)(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3
(Ce,La,Ca)9(Mg,Fe3+)(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3
Colour:
Clove-brown with a reddish tinge; pale lavender- brown to colorless in thin fragments.
Lustre:
Resinous
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
4.75
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
First described by Cronstedt (1751) as "tungsten". Named by Hisinger & Berzelius (1804) as cerite, after the dwarf planet Ceres discovered by the Italian astronomer Guiseppe Piazzi in 1801.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
The cerium analogue of Ferricerite-(LaCa). Apparently the OH analogue of taipingite-(CeCa).
Isostructural with phosphates of the Whitlockite Subgroup.
A possible Mn analogue is mentioned by Holtstam et al. (2020).
Compare other possible analogues: UM2007-38-SiO:ClFFeHMgREE and UM2007-39-SiO:ClFHMgREE.
Note: "Cerite" from Montoso with different colours and forms analyzed by quantitative SEM-EDS are all Aluminocerite-(CeCa).
Isostructural with phosphates of the Whitlockite Subgroup.
A possible Mn analogue is mentioned by Holtstam et al. (2020).
Compare other possible analogues: UM2007-38-SiO:ClFFeHMgREE and UM2007-39-SiO:ClFHMgREE.
Note: "Cerite" from Montoso with different colours and forms analyzed by quantitative SEM-EDS are all Aluminocerite-(CeCa).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
931
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:931:7
Similar Names
| Celite | A synonym of Brownmillerite | |
| Cenite | A synonym of Kainite | |
| Cerine | A synonym of Ferriallanite-(Ce) | |
| Cerit-(La) | A synonym of Ferricerite-(LaCa) | |
| Cerite | A synonym | |
| Clerite | A valid IMA mineral species | MnSb2S4 |
| Curite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
| Kerite | ||
| Perite | A valid IMA mineral species | PbBiClO2 |
| Sayrite | A valid IMA mineral species | Pb2(UO2)5O6(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| Surite | A valid IMA mineral species | (Pb,Ca)3(Al,Fe2+,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| Verite | A synonym of 'Hyalo-olivine-diopside-phlogopite lamproite' | |
| Zaïrite | A valid IMA mineral species | BiFe33+(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| Ziroite | A valid IMA mineral species | ZrO2 |
| Zorite | A valid IMA mineral species | Na8(Ti,Nb)5(Si6O17)2(OH,O)5 · 14H2O |
IMA Classification of Cerite-(CeCa)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Ce3+7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3
Approval history:
name & formula changes: May 2023 IMA proposals
Classification of Cerite-(CeCa)
9.AG.20
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
G : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in > [6] +- [6] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
G : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in > [6] +- [6] coordination
52.4.6.1
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] and/or >[6] coordination
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] and/or >[6] coordination
14.8.13
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
8 : Silicates of Group III metals other than Al
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
8 : Silicates of Group III metals other than Al
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Crt-Ce | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Crt | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Cerite-(CeCa)
Resinous
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Clove-brown with a reddish tinge; pale lavender- brown to colorless in thin fragments.
Streak:
Grayish white
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.75(11) g/cm3 (Measured) 4.86 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Cerite-(CeCa)
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.806 - 1.81 nε = 1.81 - 1.82
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.004 - 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:
Very 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.
Comments:
Anomalously biaxial.
Chemistry of Cerite-(CeCa)
Mindat Formula:
(Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3
formerly given as:
(Ce,La,Ca)9(Mg,Fe3+)(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3
formerly given as:
(Ce,La,Ca)9(Mg,Fe3+)(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3
Element Weights:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| SiO2 | 21.77 % |
| CaO | 4.62 % |
| MgO | 0.16 % |
| MnO | 0.15 % |
| Al2O3 | 0.80 % |
| Fe2O3 | 2.05 % |
| La2O3 | 21.05 % |
| Ce2O3 | 32.72 % |
| Pr2O3 | 2.56 % |
| Nd2O3 | 7.01 % |
| Sm2O3 | 0.61 % |
| Eu2O3 | 0.06 % |
| Gd2O3 | 0.42 % |
| F | 2.18 % |
| H2O | 0.77 % |
| -O=F | -0.92 % |
| Total: | 96.01 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saga 1 Quarry, Sagåsen, Auenlandet, Porsgrunn, Telemark, Norway | Electron microprobe analysis, mean of 5 analyses spots. Analysist: R. Gault, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada. H2O calculated assuming 4(OH,F). |
Crystallography of Cerite-(CeCa)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.779(6) Å, c = 38.061(7) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.531
Unit Cell V:
3,829.73 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000921 | Cerite-(CeCa) | Moore P B, Shen J (1983) Cerite, RE9(Fe3+,Mg)(SiO4)6(SiO3OH)(OH)3: Its crystal structure and relation to whitlockite It is likely that the structure was refined wrong to begin with. American Mineralogist 68 996-1003 |  | 1983 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.95 Å | (100) |
| 1.954 Å | (50) |
| 3.47 Å | (42) |
| 2.69 Å | (42) |
| 2.83 Å | (38) |
| 3.31 Å | (33) |
| 3.11 Å | (30) |
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 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Cerite-(CeCa)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 48851.
Synonyms of Cerite-(CeCa)
Other Language Names for Cerite-(CeCa)
Dutch:Ceriet-(CeCa)
Russian:Церит-(Ce)
Relationship of Cerite-(CeCa) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Cerite Subgroup:
| Aluminocerite-(CeCa) | (Ce6Ca3)◻Al(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4(OH)3 | Trig. 3m : R3c |
| Ferricerite-(LaCa) | (La6Ca3)◻Fe3+(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 | Trig. 3m : R3c |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 44 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Ferriallanite-(Ce) | (CaCe)(Fe3+AlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 39 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 24 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Törnebohmite-(Ce) | Ce2Al(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 21 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 20 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 15 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 15 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Håleniusite-(La) | (La,Ce)OF |
| 14 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| 13 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 9 photos of Cerite-(CeCa) associated with Emplectite | CuBiS2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AG. | Aluminotaipingite-(CeCa) | (Ce6Ca3)◻Al(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4F3 |
| 9.AG. | 'Ivanyukite-Na-T' | Na2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)O3 · 7H2O |
| 9.AG. | 'Ivanyukite-Na-C' | Na2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AG. | Edgrewite | Ca9(SiO4)4F2 |
| 9.AG.02 | Gatedalite | ZrMn2+2Mn3+4SiO12 |
| 9.AG.05 | Abswurmbachite | CuMn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 9.AG.05 | Neltnerite | CaMn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 9.AG.05 | Skogbyite | Zr(Mg2Mn3+4)SiO12 |
| 9.AG.05 | Braunite | Mn2+Mn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 9.AG.05 | 'Braunite-II' | Ca(Mn3+,Fe)14(SiO4)O20 |
| 9.AG.10 | Långbanite | Mn2+4Mn3+9Sb5+O16(SiO4)2 |
| 9.AG.12 | Taipingite-(CeCa) | (Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4F3 |
| 9.AG.15 | Żabińskiite | Ca[Al0.5(Ta,Nb)0.5)]O(SiO4) |
| 9.AG.15 | Titanite | CaTiO(SiO4) |
| 9.AG.15 | Vanadomalayaite | CaVO(SiO4) |
| 9.AG.15 | Natrotitanite | (Na0.5Y0.5)TiO(SiO4) |
| 9.AG.15 | Malayaite | CaSnO(SiO4) |
| 9.AG.20 | Ferricerite-(LaCa) | (La6Ca3)◻Fe3+(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 |
| 9.AG.20 | Aluminocerite-(CeCa) | (Ce6Ca3)◻Al(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4(OH)3 |
| 9.AG.20 | Nipeiite-(Ce) | Ce9Fe3+(SiO4)6[SiO3(OH)](OH)3 |
| 9.AG.25 | 'Yftisite-(Y)' | (Y,Dy,Er)4(Ti,Sn)(SiO4)2O(F,OH)6 |
| 9.AG.25 | Mieite-(Y) | Y4Ti(SiO4)2O[F,(OH)]6 |
| 9.AG.25 | Trimounsite-(Y) | Y2Ti2(SiO4)O5 |
| 9.AG.30 | Sitinakite | KNa2Ti4(SiO4)2O5(OH) · 4H2O |
| 9.AG.35 | Kittatinnyite | Ca2Mn2Mn(SiO4)2(OH)4 · 9H2O |
| 9.AG.40b | Paranatisite | Na2Ti(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.40a | Natisite | Na2Ti(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.45 | Törnebohmite-(Ce) | Ce2Al(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 9.AG.45 | Törnebohmite-(La) | La2Al(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 9.AG.50 | Ivanyukite-Na | Na2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AG.50 | Ivanyukite-K | K2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 9H2O |
| 9.AG.50 | Ivanyukite-Cu | CuTi4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 7H2O |
| 9.AG.50 | Kuliokite-(Y) | Y4Al(SiO4)2(OH)2F5 |
| 9.AG.50 | Hydroxyledgrewite | Ca9(SiO4)4(OH)2 |
| 9.AG.52 | Ulfanderssonite-(Ce) | (Ce15Ca)Σ16Mg2(SiO4)10(SiO3OH)(OH,F)5Cl3 |
| 9.AG.55 | Chantalite | CaAl2(SiO4)(OH)4 |
| 9.AG.60 | Vuagnatite | CaAl(SiO4)(OH) |
| 9.AG.60 | Mozartite | CaMn3+(SiO4)(OH) |
| 9.AG.65 | Hatrurite | Ca3(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.70 | Jasmundite | Ca11(SiO4)4O2S |
| 9.AG.75 | Afwillite | Ca3[SiO4][SiO2(OH)2] · 2H2O |
| 9.AG.80 | Bultfonteinite | Ca2(HSiO4)F · H2O |
| 9.AG.85 | Zoltaiite | BaV4+2V3+12(SiO4)2O19 |
| 9.AG.90 | Tranquillityite | (Fe2+,Ca)8(Zr,Y)2Ti3(SiO4)3O12 |
Other Information
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 Cerite-(CeCa)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-931.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Cerite-(CeCa)
Reference List:
Gay, P. (1957) An X-ray investigation of some rare-earth silicates: cerite, lessingite, beckelite, britholite, and stillwellite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 31 (237). 455-468 doi:10.1180/minmag.1957.031.237.04
Glass, J. J., Evans, H. T., Carron, M. K., Hildebrand, F. A. (1958) Cerite from Mountain Pass, San Bernardino County, California. American Mineralogist, 43 (5-6) 460-475
Moore, Paul Brian, Shen, Jinchuan (1983) Cerite, RE9(Fe2+,Mg)(SiO4)6(SiO3OH)(OH)3: its crystal structure and relation to whitlockite. American Mineralogist, 68 (9-10) 996-1003
Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Men'shikov, Y. P., Yakovenchuk, V. N., Ivanyuk, G. Yu., Krivovichev, S. V., Burns, P. C. (2002) Cerite-(La), (La,Ce,Ca)9(Fe,Ca,Mg)(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4(OH)3, a new mineral species from the Khibina alkaline massif: Occurrence and crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (4) 1177-1184 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.4.1177
Localities for Cerite-(CeCa)
Showing 68 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.
Angola | |
| Torró et al. (2012) |
Australia | |
| Wulser PA et al. U-Th-REE mobility in ... |
Burundi | |
| |
Canada | |
| Jambor (1971) |
| Grice (1989) +1 other reference |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (n.d.) |
| Sabina (1986) +1 other reference |
| Sabina (1971) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Qu et al. (2019) |
| Liu et al. (2022) |
| Xue et al. (2026) | |
| Wang et al. (2024) |
Egypt | |
| Mohamed (2013) |
Finland | |
| Thair et al. (2012) |
Germany | |
| - (2000) |
Hungary | |
| collector: Csaba Papp |
| www.geomania.hu +1 other reference | |
Italy | |
| Finello et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Finello et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
Madagascar | |
| Estrade (2014) |
| Estrade et al. (2014) | |
Mongolia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +2 other references |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
Namibia | |
| Paula Piilonen |
Norway | |
| Rune S. Selbekk (2010) |
| Andersen et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Larsen et al. (2010) | |
| |
Portugal | |
| Samples collected by Luigi Chiappino ... +1 other reference |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu Paulina et al. (2013) |
| Szakáll et al. (2010) | |
| Szakáll et al. (2010) |
| HÎRTOPANU et al. (2014) |
Russia | |
| N.P. Yushkin e.a. Introduction in ... +2 other references |
| Konev et al. (2005) |
| Specimen identified by Dr. Igor Pekov +1 other reference |
| Semenov E.I. (1972) |
| Pakhomovsky et al. (2002) | |
| Kapustin Yu.L. (1989) |
South Africa | |
| Atanasova et al. (2016) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Sweden | |
| Jansson (2001) |
| Jansson (2001) |
| Holtstam et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Jonsson +3 other references |
| Jansson (2001) |
| Holtstam et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
| Collection of Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet i Stockholm (The Natural History Museum) +1 other reference | |
| Peacor et al. (1988) |
| Andersson et al. (2024) | |
| Hisinger et al. (1804) +1 other reference |
| Andersson et al. (2024) | |
| Holtstam et al. (2017) +1 other reference | |
| Cronstedt (1751) +1 other reference |
| Jonsson | |
Turkey | |
| Lefevre et al. (1983) +4 other references |
USA | |
| Glass et al. (1956) +5 other references |
| Pavel Kartashov (unpubl. analyses) +2 other references |
| Hanley et al. (1950) +1 other reference | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Jensen (1978) |
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Bastnäs Mines, Riddarhyttan, Skinnskatteberg, Västmanland County, Sweden