Cebaite-(Ce)

cebaite-(Ce)

mckelveyite

cordylite-(Ce)

donnayite

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Formula: Ba₃Ce₂(CO₃)₅F₂
Anhydrous carbonate, barium- and cerium- bearing mineral
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 4.31 to 4.66 measured, 4.81 calculated
Hardness: 4½ to 5
Streak: Yellow-orange to pale grey
Colour: Yellow to waxy-yellow
Solubility: Readily dissolves in dilute hydrochloric acid and in other strong inorganic acids
Environments

Carbonatites
Metamorphic environments

Localities

At the type locality, the East Mine, Bayan Obo deposit, Bayan Obo, Bayan Obo mining district, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, China, cebaite-(Ce) occurs as tabular grains, to 0.2 mm, and granular aggregates in carbonatite-derived dolomitic marble. Associated minerals include aegirine, fluorite, baryte and apatite (HOM).

In the Carbonatite Stock in the vicinity of Tul'ilukht Bay, Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia, cebaite-(Ce) is associated with cerium-bearing mckelveyite, ewaldite, cordylite-(Ce) and cerium-bearing donnayite (HOM).

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