Fluocerite-(Ce)
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About Fluocerite-(Ce)
Formula:
(Ce,La)F3
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).
Classification of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
3/A.10-20
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
Pronounciation of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Pronounciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon & Katya 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

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemical Properties of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Crystallography of Fluocerite-(Ce)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/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
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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
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)
French:Flucérine(in part)
German:Neutrales Fluorcerium
Russian:Флюоцерит-(Ce)
Swedish:Neutralt Fluss-spatsyrat Cerium
Neutralt flussspatssyradt(in part)
Neutralt flussspatssyradt(in part)
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
11 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
4 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
4 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Rutile | TiO2 |
3 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
2 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Allanite-(Ce) | {CaCe}{Al2Fe2+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH) |
2 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Cryolite | Na2NaAlF6 |
2 photos of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Monazite-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) |
1 photo of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Euxenite-(Y) | (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6 |
1 photo of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Kuliokite-(Y) | Y4Al(SiO4)2(OH)2F5 |
1 photo of Fluocerite-(Ce) associated with Yttrofluorite | (Ca1-xYx)F2+x where 0.05< x |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
3.AC.05 | Zharchikhite | AlF(OH)2 | Mon. |
3.AC.10 | Molysite | FeCl3 | Hex. |
3.AC.15 | Fluocerite-(La) | (La,Ce)F3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3c1 |
3.AC.20 | Gananite | BiF3 | Iso. |
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)
9.3.4.2 | Fluocerite-(La) | (La,Ce)F3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3c1 |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
8.7.2 | Fluocerite-(La) | (La,Ce)F3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3c1 |
8.7.3 | Tveitite-(Y) | (Y, Na)6Ca6Ca6(Ca,Na)F42 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
8.7.4 | Gagarinite-(Y) | NaCaYF6 | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
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.
References for Fluocerite-(Ce)
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Berzelius (1818): 6: 56 (as Neutralt flussspatssyradt).
Allen and Comstock (1880) American Journal of Science: 19: 390.
Hillebrand (1899) American Journal of Science: 7: 51.
Flink (1910) Arkiv för Kemi, Mineralogi och Geologi, Stockholm: 3: 1.
Koechlin (1912) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 31: 528.
Geijer (1921) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 43: 19.
Oftedal (1931) Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie, Leipzig, Berlin: Abteilung B: 13: 190.
Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 48.
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.
Mineralogical Magazine (1983): 47: 41.
Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte (1994): 529.
Mineralogical Record (1990): 21: 429.
Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (1997) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume III. Halides, Hydroxides, Oxides. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 628pp.: 203.
American Mineralogist (1987): 72: 1031 (Appendix 2).
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.
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Fluocerite-(Ce)
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Wulser PA et al. U-Th-REE mobility in and around the Mt Painter & Mt Babbage inliers, Northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia. 2005, Abstracts Geol. Soc. Austra. Vol.78 |
Brazil | |
| A. C. Bastos Neto, V. P. Pereira, L. H. Ronchi, E. F. de Lima and J. C. Frantz (2009): The world-class Sn, Nb, Ta, F (Y, REE, Li) deposit and the massive cryolite associated with the albite-enriched facies of the Madeira A-type granite, Pitinga mining district, Amazonas State, Brazil. Canadian Mineralogist 47, 1329-1357.; Horbe, A. M. C., & da Costa, M. L. (1999). Geochemical evolution of a lateritic Sn–Zr–Th–Nb–Y–REE-bearing ore body derived from apogranite: the case of Pitinga, Amazonas—Brazil. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 66(1), 339-351. |
| Menezes Filho, Luiz A.D. (2016) |
| Hussak and Prior (1900) Mineralogical Magazine: 12: 244. |
Canada | |
Gysi, A. and Williams-Jones A.: (2013) Hydrothermal Mobilization of pegmatite hosted REE and Zr at Strange Lake, Canada; a reaction path model; Geo et Cosm Acta v. 122 p. 324-352 | |
China | |
| Zhang Peishan, Yang Zhuming, Tao Kejie, and Yang Xueming (1996): "Mineralogy and Geology of Rare Earths in China", Science Press (Beijing), 226 pp. |
Zhang Peishan, Yang Zhuming, Tao Kejie, and Yang Xueming (1996): "Mineralogy and Geology of Rare Earths in China", Science Press (Beijing), 226 pp. | |
| Jingwu Yin, Guowu Li, Guangming Yang, Xiangkun Ge, Haiming Xu and Jun Wang (2015) Fluornatropyrochlore, a new pyrochlore supergroup mineral from the Boziguoer rare earth element deposit, Baicheng County, Akesu, Xinjiang, China. Canadian Mineralogist. 53,455-460 |
Finland | |
| Ilkka Mikkola collection, XRD and EPMA |
| Chemical analysis (Laht i & Suominen 1988) |
Germany | |
| Walenta, K. (1992): Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes. Chr. Weise Verlag, München, 336 pp. (in German); KOLITSCH, U., GRÖBNER, J. & BAYERL, R. (1995): Die Mineralien der Silber-Antimon-Vererzungen der Grube Clara im Zeitraum 1993 bis 1995. - Erzgräber 9 (2), 61-77. ; KOLITSCH, U. & GÖTZINGER, M. (2000): Einige Neufunde aus der Grube Clara im mittleren Schwarzwald: Eulytin, Namibit, Volborthit, Gearksutit, Spertiniit, Monazit-(La), Protasit, Sainfeldit, Cyanotrichit und Vauquelinit. - Erzgräber 14, 33-47. |
| http://taunusmineralien.de/Stbr.Birkenkopf.html |
| Mineralien-Welt, (2), 17-39. |
Namibia | |
| JAHN, St.; SCHNAITMANN, E.A.; NIEDERMAYR, G. (2010): Spektakuläre Neufunde aus dem Erongo (IV). - MINERALIEN-Welt (5), 60-66. |
Nigeria | |
| Styles, M.T., Young, E.R. (1983) Fluocerite and its alteration products from the Afa Hills, Nigeria. Mineralogical Magazine: 47: 41-46. |
Norway | |
| Neumann, H. & Bergstøl, S. (1963): Contributions to the mineralogy of Norway No.17. Cerianite from cleavelandite pegmatite dykes in Iveland. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift 43,247-255 |
Frigstad, O. F. (1999): Amazonittpegmatitter i Iveland-Evje. Bergverksmuseets Skrift 15: 60-73. | |
| Neumann, H. & Bergstøl, S. (1963): Contributions to the mineralogy of Norway No.17. Cerianite from cleavelandite pegmatite dykes in Iveland. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift 43,247-255 + Neumann (1985, p. 51). |
| Sverdrup, T.L., Sæbø,P.Chr. & Bryn, K.Ö. (1965): Contribution to the Mineralogy of Norway No. 31. Tysonite (fluocerite), a new mineral for Norway. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift 45: 177-188 |
Husdal, T. (2008): The minerals of the pegmatites within the Tysfjord granite, northern Norway. Norsk Bergverksmuseum.Skrift 38: 5-28 | |
| Neumann, H. (1959): Contributions to the mineralogy of Norway. No. 1. An introduction. Norsk Geologisk Tidskrift. 39, 231-236. |
| Sverdrup, T.L., Sæbø,P.Chr. & Bryn, K.Ö. (1965): Contribution to the Mineralogy of Norway No. 31. Tysonite (fluocerite), a new mineral for Norway. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift 45: 177-188 |
Larsen, A.O. (1982): Mineralene i Skarsfjell pegmatittbrudd, Tørdal. in Geologisk Museum. Interne notater 1961-1990. Published by Geologisk Museums Venner, Oslo 1991, p 101 | |
Portugal | |
| Samples collected by Luigi Chiappino and analysed by Dr. Anthony Kampf, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, USA; Lavarde, S., Chiappino, L., Alves, P., Astolfi, M., (2019) Les Minéraux du massif volcanique du Fogo, Ile de São Miguel, Açores, Portugal. Le Règne Mineral, 145, 30-50 |
Russia | |
| P.M. Karashov data |
South Africa | |
| S. Weinert (2006) Locality Data Sheet ML35 (South African Micromount Society); Rocks & Minerals 83:5 pp 410-421; Birtel, S., Kern, M., Höfig, T. W., Krause, J., & Gutzmer, J. (2015). Geometallurgical Assessment: Beneficiation of Rare Earth Minerals as a Possible By-Product from the Vergenoeg Fluorite Mine, South Africa. In Proceedings of the 13th Biennial SGA Meeting (mineral resources in a sustainable world), Nancy, France (pp. 1383-1386). |
| Atanasova, M., Cairncross, B. and Windisch, W.R. (2016) Microminerals of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Popular Geoscience Series 6, Council for Geoscience, Pretoria, South Africa, 79 pg |
| Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa, PO Box 44283, Linden 2104, South Africa. |
Sweden (TL) | |
| Nordstrom, Th. (1872): Om i Falutrakten förekommande mineralbrott. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar. 1, 119-123; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 49. |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 49; Mineralogical Magazine (1983): 47: 41. Kjellman (unpublished) |
| Weibull, M. (1886): Om fluoceriten från Österby i Dalarne. Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar 8, 496-500 |
| in the collection of NHM Stockholm |
| Öhman, L. , Nysten, P. and Langhof, J. (2004): Famous mineral localities: the Bastnäs mines - Riddarhyttan ore field, Bergslagen district, Västmanland, Sweden. The Mineralogical Record, 35 (3):187-200 |
USA | |
| USGS Bulletin 2160 |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.; USGS Open-File Report 80-661 |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckel |
"Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 14, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997 | |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B. |
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 49. | |
Müller, M. M., Kleebe, H.-J., Lauterbach, S. and Zito, G. (2011): Crystallographic orientation relationship between bastnaesite, fluocerite and cerianite observed in a crystal from the pikes peak pegmatites. Z. Kristallogr. 226 (2011) 467-475. | |
| Mineralogical Record: 21: 429; Rocks & Minerals: 64: 471. |
| Jim Hall |
| Rocks & Minerals: 63: 457. |
| Rocks & Minerals (1990): 65: 295. |
| Nashua Min. Soc. Disp. Cat., 1995; Rocks & Minerals (2005) 80:242-261 New Hampshire Mineral Locality Index |
| John H. Betts (2009) "The minerals of New York City", Rocks & Minerals, 84, 204-240. |
Little Patsy pegmatite, South Platte Pegmatite Mining District, Jefferson Co., Colorado, USA