Carbocernaite Locality: Kirovskii apatite mine (Kirovsky Mine; Kirov Mine), Kukisvumchorr Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia Light brown acicular xls of Carbocernaite. Field of view 5 mm. Specimen and photo Leon Hupperichs. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Carbocernaite
Carbocernaite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula (Sr,Ce,La)(Ca,Na)(CO₃)₂.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pmc2_1). It is a member of the Carbocernaite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 3.53; Vitreous, greasy on fractures luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Cbc, IMA status: approved, named in 1961.
Occurs as an uncommon accessory mineral in dolomite–calcite carbonatite in association with an alkaline ultramafic massif (Vuoriyarvi massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia).
It is found associated with “Chlorite”, ankerite, alstonite, anatase, quartz (Vuoriyarvi complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia); dolomite, barite, “chlorite”, mckelveyite-(Y), calkinsite-(Ce).
The name refers to its essential chemical components: CARBOnate, CERium, and sodium, NAtrium.