What is Wakefieldite-(Ce)?
Wakefieldite-(Ce) is a rare cerium vanadate of the xenotime-type family, usually found as yellow to brown grains in rare-earth-rich environments.
Mineralogy and structure
Reference formula: CeVO4. Wakefieldite-(Ce) is tetragonal with the ideal formula CeVO4. COD 1529606 provides an exact structural reference; natural rare-earth substitution is part of the species story. Wakefieldite-(Ce) is classified with vanadates and has tetragonal crystal symmetry. Typical hardness is 4–5 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 4.5–4.8.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include yellow, orange-yellow, brown, red-brown. The usual tabular, granular, crusty habit and adamantine, vitreous, resinous lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Wakefieldite-(Ce) forms in or is associated with rare-earth pegmatites, alkaline rocks, hydrothermal veins and oxidised vanadate-bearing assemblages. Important documented localities include Brazil, Madagascar, Sweden, Russia, the United States and other rare-earth localities.
Yellow rare-earth chemistry in a vanadate
Wakefieldite-(Ce) is a specialist collector mineral where colour and formula point to rare-earth concentration. A documented microcrystal can be more valuable than a larger unverified fragment.
Collecting and care
Avoid acids and dust; keep small grains protected and retain analytical and locality information because visual identification is unreliable.
