Dingdaohengite-(Ce)

Dingdaohengite-(Ce) - Italy, Sardinia, Masullas, Conca Cannas Quarry - crystal 0,3 mm high — Photo: Henk Smeets · CC BY 4.0

Dingdaohengite-(Ce)

Dingdaohengite-(Ce) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula (Ce,La)₄Fe²⁺(Ti,Fe²⁺,Mg,Fe³⁺)₂Ti₂Si₄O₂₂.

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

Key properties: Mohs hardness 5.9; specific gravity 4.83; Brown streak; Submetallic-metallic luster; optically biaxial.

IMA symbol Ddh-Ce, IMA status: approved, named in 2005.

Found in magnesian skarn in the excontact of granite within dolomitic marble.

It is found associated with Diopside, tremolite, richterite, F-rich phlogopite, humite, chlinohumite, chondrodite, allanite-(Ce), magnetite, ilmentite, spinel, titanite, pyrochlore.

The mineral was named to honor Ding Daoheng (1899-1955), who discovered the world-famous Bayan Obo REE-Nb- Fe ore deposit in 1927 and a suffix indicates that Ce is the dominant rare-earth element.