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Silicate

Biraite-(Ce)

Ce₂Fe²⁺(Si₂O₇)(CO₃)
Hardness5
Crystal systemMonoclinic
ClassSilicate
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Biraite-(Ce)

Biraite-(Ce) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Ce₂Fe²⁺(Si₂O₇)(CO₃).

It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c). It is a member of the Biraite structural group.

Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 4.76; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.

IMA symbol Bia-Ce, IMA status: approved, named in 2003.

Found in a vein that cuts fenite fragments in a carbonatite.

It is found associated with Cordylite-(Ce), cordylite-(La), aragonite, dolomite, ancylite-(Ce), ancylite-(La), hydroxylbastnäsite-(Ce), daqingshanite-(Ce), daqingshanite-(La), tremolite.

The name refers to the locality from which the first specimens were obtained, the Biraia cabonatite dike and the dominant rare earth element, Cesium.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more B minerals or help write this entry.