Tritomite-(Ce) (original) (raw)
A valid IMA mineral species
About Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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Formula:
Ce5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,O)
Colour:
Dark red-brown, amber, black
Specific Gravity:
4.15 - 4.25
Name:
From Greek τρί (tri), threefold and τομος (tomos), a cut, because the crystal shows a three-sided cross-section (Weibye 1850). It was later renamed to tritomite-(Ce), with a suffix, -(Ce), in according to the "Levinson modifiers" indicating cerium being the dominant rare-earth element.
A mineral in the Britholite Group of the Apatite Supergroup (Pasero et al. 2010). A borosilicate with REEs strongly prevalent over Ca in the M sites for stoichiometric reason (Pasero et al. 2010).
First discovered in 1849 by Paul Christian Weibye (1819-1865) on Låven, Langesundsfjorden, Norway and described in a paper the following year (Weibye 1850). The first chemical analysis gave mainly a silicate of cerium and lanthanum. Later, Engström (1877) showed it to be a borosilicate.
The mineral is metamict amorphous. Recrystallization by heating at 600°-1000° in air or under water gives an XRD pattern of an apatite structure phase and CeO2 phase or a combination of both (Neumann et al. 1957, Neumann 1985). The relationship of tritomite-(Ce) to caryocerite and melanocerite-(Ce), other minerals described from the Langesundsfjord, Norway, has been much discussed. Caryocerite is now considered as a Th-bearing variety of melanocerite-(Ce). Melanocerite-(Ce) has recently been suggested to be potentially discredited, once its identity with tritomite-(Ce) is ascertained (Pasero et al. (2010).
It has also been suggested that it is probable that both tritomite-(Ce) and melanocerite-(Ce) have a common crystalline precursor, a boron-rich apatite group mineral (sensu lato) with considerable substitution within the general formula A5C3O12X, where A is (Ca, Na, REE, Th); C is (P, Si, B, C), and X is (F, OH, O). A complicating factor for present day identification is the degree and extent of metamictization, during which elemental leaching and replacement have taken place (Larsen 1996).
Unique IdentifiersHide
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Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4026:2
af098c53-85f1-4750-824e-281f9b7941f3
IMA Classification of Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
Classification of Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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9.AH.25
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
H : Nesosilicates with CO3, SO4, PO4, etc.
54.2.5.1
54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
2 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with B in [4] coordination
17.5.22
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
Mineral SymbolsHide
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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Tto-Ce | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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Colour:
Dark red-brown, amber, black
Hardness:
VHN100=544 - Vickers
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
4.15 - 4.25 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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RI values:
n = 1.685 - 1.763
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Comments:
Isotropic to weakly anisotropic
Chemistry of Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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Mindat Formula:
Ce5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,O)
X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide
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Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.81 Å | (100) |
| 3.44 Å | (40) |
| 1.84 Å | (40) |
| 1.24 Å | (40) |
| 3.08 Å | (30) |
| 2.70 Å | (30) |
| 1.94 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Langesundsfjord, Norway. Data collected after heating sample at 600°C-1000°C.
Geological EnvironmentHide
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Type Occurrence of Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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General Appearance of Type Material:
As pseudotetrahedral crystals; also as rounded aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, R1297.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Nepheline syenite pegmatites.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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Other Language Names for Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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Relationship of Tritomite-(Ce) to other SpeciesHide
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Other Members of this group:
| Britholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
|---|---|---|
| Britholite-(La) | Ca2(La,Ce,Ca)3(SiO4,PO4)3(OH,F) | |
| Britholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| Calciobritholite | (Ca,Y)5(SiO4,PO4)3(OH) | |
| Fluorbritholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| Fluorbritholite-(Nd) | Ca2Nd3(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| Fluorbritholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| Fluorcalciobritholite | (Ca,REE)5(SiO4,PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| Tritomite-(Y) | Y5(SiO4,BO4)3(O,OH,F) |
Common AssociatesHide
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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide
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| 9.AH. | Fluorbritholite-(Nd) | Ca2Nd3(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.AH.05 | Iimoriite-(Y) | Y2[SiO4][CO3] | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
| 9.AH.10 | Tundrite-(Ce) | Na2Ce2Ti(SiO4)(CO3)2O2 | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
| 9.AH.10 | Tundrite-(Nd) | Na2(Nd,Ce)2Ti(SiO4)(CO3)2O2 | |
| 9.AH.15 | Spurrite | Ca5(SiO4)2(CO3) | Mon. 2/m : _P_21/b |
| 9.AH.15 | Galuskinite | Ca7(SiO4)3(CO3) | Mon. 2/m : _P_21/b |
| 9.AH.20 | Ternesite | Ca5(SiO4)2(SO4) | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : P n m a |
| 9.AH.20 | Silicocarnotite | Ca5[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4) | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : P n m a |
| 9.AH.25 | Britholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| 9.AH.25 | Britholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| 9.AH.25 | Chlorellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5Cl | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| 9.AH.25 | Fluorbritholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| 9.AH.25 | Fluorellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5F | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| 9.AH.25 | Hydroxylellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5(OH) | Hex. 6/m m m _(_6/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : _P_63/m c m |
| 9.AH.25 | Mattheddleite | Pb5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5(Cl,OH) | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| 9.AH.25 | Tritomite-(Y) | Y5(SiO4,BO4)3(O,OH,F) | |
| 9.AH.25 | Fluorcalciobritholite | (Ca,REE)5(SiO4,PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| 9.AH.25 | Fluorbritholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : _P_63/m |
| 9.AH.25 | Britholite-(La) | Ca2(La,Ce,Ca)3(SiO4,PO4)3(OH,F) | |
| 9.AH.25 | Calciobritholite | (Ca,Y)5(SiO4,PO4)3(OH) | |
| 9.AH.35 | Nabimusaite | KCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O2F | Trig. 3_m_ _(_32/m ) : R_3_m |
| 9.AH.35 | Dargaite | BaCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O3 | Trig. 3_m_ : R_3_m |
| 9.AH.40 | Zadovite | BaCa6[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4)2F | Trig. 3_m_ : R_3_m |
| 9.AH.40 | Gazeevite | BaCa6(SiO4)2(SO4)2O | Trig. 3_m_ _(_32/m ) : R_3_m |
| 9.AH.40 | Stracherite | BaCa6(SiO4)2[(PO4)(CO3)]2F | Trig. 3_m_ _(_32/m ) : R_3_m |
| 9.AH.45 | Flamite | Ca8-x(Na,K)x(SiO4)4-x(PO4)x | Orth. m _m_2 |
| 9.AH.50 | Byzantievite | Ba5(Ca,REE,Y)22(Ti,Nb)18(SiO4)4[(PO4),(SiO4)]4(BO3)9O22[(OH),F]43(H2O)1.5 | Trig. 3 : _R_3 |
| 9.AH.55 | Greenwoodite | (Ba,V3+O)2V3+9(Fe3+,Fe2+)2Si2O22 | Trig. 3_m_ _(_32/m ) : _P_3_m_1 |
| 9.AH.60 | Kihlmanite-(Ce) | Ce2TiO2(SiO4)(HCO3)2(H2O) | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
| 9.AH.65 | Tsangpoite | Ca5(PO4)2(SiO4) | Hex. |
| 9.AH.70 | Enalite | (Th,REE,Al) [(PO4),(SiO4),(OH)] | Tet. |
Other InformationHide
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Notes:
Weakly to strongly radioactive
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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References for Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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Reference List:
Weibye, P. H., Berlin, N. J., Sjögren, K. A., von Borck, J. B. (1850) Neue Mineralien aus Norwegen beschrieben von P.H. Weibye; analysirt von N.J. Berlin, K.A. Sjögren und J.B. von Borck (Erster Theil) [1.Tritomit, 2. Katapleiit, 3. Atheriasit, 4. Eudnophit.]. [New minerals from Norway described by P.H. Weibye; analyzed by N.J. Berlin, K.A. Sjögren and J.B. von Borck (first part) [1.tritomite, 2. catapleiite, 3. atheriasite, 4. eudnophite.].]. Annalen der Physik und Chemie, 155. 299-304 doi:10.1002/andp.18501550210
Pasero, Marco, Kampf, Anthony R., Ferraris, Cristiano, Pekov, Igor V., Rakovan, John, White, Timothy J. (2010) Nomenclature of the apatite supergroup minerals. European Journal of Mineralogy, 22 (2) 163-179 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2010/0022-2022
Localities for Tritomite-(Ce)Hide
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This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Locality ListHide
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- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 
- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.