Melanocerite-(Ce)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Melanocerite-(Ce)
Formula:
(Ce,Ca)5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,0)
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
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
9e19f362-70b0-4c8b-be3b-f50f681cd8f6
IMA Classification of Melanocerite-(Ce)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ce5(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 |
---|---|---|
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 = 1.730 nε = 1.720
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
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:
High
Chemistry of Melanocerite-(Ce)
Mindat Formula:
(Ce,Ca)5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,0)
Often contains Th.
Often contains Th.
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
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
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)
German:Melanocerit
Melanocerit-(Ce)
Melanocerit-(Ce)
Spanish:Melanocerita
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
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
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 Feldspar Group |
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 | Grandidierite | (Mg,Fe2+)(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(BO3)O2 |
9.AJ.05 | Ominelite | (Fe2+,Mg)(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(BO3)O2 |
9.AJ.10 | Dumortierite | Al(Al2O)(Al2O)2(SiO4)3(BO3) |
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.10 | Nioboholtite | (Nb0.6◻0.4)Al6BSi3O18 |
9.AJ.10 | Titanoholtite | (Ti0.75◻0.25)Al6BSi3O18 |
9.AJ.15 | Garrelsite | Ba3NaSi2B7O16(OH)4 |
9.AJ.20 | Muromontite | near Be2FeY2Si3O12 |
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 | 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.20 | Gadolinite-(Nd) | Nd2Fe2+Be2O2(SiO4)2 |
9.AJ.20 | Unnamed (OH-analogue of Gadolinite-(Y)) | (Y,Ca)2(Fe,◻)Be2Si2O8(OH,O)2 |
9.AJ.25 | Stillwellite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Ca)BSiO5 |
9.AJ.30 | Cappelenite-(Y) | Ba(Y,Ce)6Si3B6O24F2 |
9.AJ.35 | Okanoganite-(Y) | (Na,Ca)3(Y,Ce)12Si6B2O27F14 |
9.AJ.35 | Vicanite-(Ce) | (Ca,Ce,La,Th)15As5+(As3+0.5,Na0.5)Fe3+Si6B4O40F7 |
9.AJ.35 | Hundholmenite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca,Na)15(Al,Fe3+)(CaxAs3+1-x)(Si,As5+)Si6B3(O,F)48 |
9.AJ.35 | Proshchenkoite-(Y) | Ca(Y,REE,Ca,Na,Mn)15Fe2+(P,Si)Si6B3O34F14 |
9.AJ.35 | Laptevite-(Ce) | Ca6(Fe2+,Mn2+)Y3REE7(SiO4)3(PO4)(B3Si3O18)(BO3)F11 |
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)
Reference List:
Brögger, W. C. (1887) Forelöbig meddelelse om mineralerne på de sydnorske augit- og nefelinsyeniters grovkornige gange. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 9 (4) 247-274 doi:10.1080/11035898709444657
Localities for Melanocerite-(Ce)
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada | |
| 162-165. +1 other reference |
| Richard Gunter Collection |
Royal Ontario Museum specimen M22568 | |
GSC misc report 39 | |
China | |
| Dahlkamp (2009) |
Czech Republic | |
| Tvrdý et al. (2021) |
Norway | |
Andersen et al. (1985) | |
| Andersen et al. (1996) |
| Brøgger (1890, January) |
| Brögger (1887) +1 other reference |
| Brøgger (1890, January) |
Romania | |
| Pál Molnár (2000) |
Russia | |
| Vladykin et al. (2017) |
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Kjeøya, Barkevik area, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway