Orange crystals of the extremely rare cerium mineral cebaite-(Ce) from the type locality in Bayan Obo (Bayan Obo Deposit, Baotou League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China), on a contrasting whitish matrix. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cebaite-(Ce)
Cebaite-(Ce) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula Ba₃Ce₂(CO₃)₅F₂.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/m).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4.5–5; specific gravity 4.31–4.66; Yellow- orange to pale gray streak; Vitreous to waxy luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Ceb-Ce, IMA status: approved, named in 1983.
Found in carbonatite-derived dolomitic marble (Bayan Obo deposit, China); in a differentiated alkalic massif (Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia).
It is found associated with Zhonghuacerite-(Ce), aegirine, fluorite, barite, apatite (Bayan Obo deposit, China); mckelveyite-(Ce), ewaldite, cordylite-(Ce).
The name refers to two of the essential elements, CErium and BArium.