Cerite

Cerite is a complex silicate mineral group containing cerium, formula (Ce,La,Ca)₉(Mg,Fe+3)(SiO₄)₆(SiO₃OH)(OH)₃. The cerium and lanthanum content varies with the Ce rich species (cerite-(Ce)) and the La rich species (cerite-(La)). Analysis of a sample from the Mountain Pass carbonatite gave 35.05% Ce₂O₃ and 30.04% La₂O₃.

Cerite was first described in 1803 for an occurrence in Bastnäs in Västmanland, Sweden. The lanthanum rich species, cerite-(La) was first described for an occurrence in the Khibina massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia in 2002.