Cerite-(Ce) – [Ce9(?,Ca)(Fe3+,Mg)(SiO4)6(SiO3OH)(OH,F)3]

Cerite-(Ce) is yet another extremely rare species at Mont Saint-Hilaire. The crystals may be rounded on the corners. Visual identification is sometimes difficult with catapleiite and an unusual platy habit of rhodochrosite.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

 

  • Color ranges from rose-red to pink.
  • Luster is vitreous.
  • Diaphaneity is transparent.
  • Crystal System is hexagonal; R3c.
  • Crystal Habits include hexagonal plates forming rosette-like groups.
  • Cleavage is not apparent.
  • Fracture is uneven.
  • Hardness is 5.5
  • Specific Gravity is approximately 4.7 – 4.9 g/cm3.
  • Streak is white.
  • Associated Minerals include aegirine, albite, apatite group, calcite,
    catapleiite, fluorite, helvite, microcline, natrolite and tundrite.
  • Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and color.
  • Origin: Named in 1803 to honor the discovery in 1801 of the
    asteroid Ceres.

 

 

Dana class # 52.4.6.1 – Nesosilicates: insular SiO4 groups and O, OH, F, and H2O
Strunz class # VIII/B.19-40 – Silicates; nesosilicates;