Tundrite-(Ce) (original) (raw)

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Tundrite-(Ce) crystals
© Doug Merson

Tundrite-(Ce) crystals
© Gilles Haineault

NaCe(Ti,Nb)(CO(SiO(OH) · 2H

Tundrite-(Ce) occurs rarely at Mont Saint-Hilaire.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color ranges from lemon-yellow to orange-yellow with a bronzy
appearance.
Luster is vitreous and silky to dull.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is triclinic; 1.
Crystal Habits include sharp bladed crystals to 1.5cm forming
divergent sprays.
Cleavage {010} is perfect.
Fracture is splintery.
Hardness is 3.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.7 g/cm
Streak is yellowish-gray.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, amphibole group, analcime,
astrophyllite, calcite, cerite, fluorapatite, microcline, pectolite, pyrite,
rhodochrosite and sphalerite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and color.
Origin: Named in 1963 after the discovery locality, the Lovozero tundra.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 17.1.11.1

Strunz Classification
# VIII/B.16-40

REFERENCES:
**MinRec 21:**343 (1990), **Dana 8:**523 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH ¤¤¤

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Tundrite-(Ce) crystals
© Doug Merson