photo sapn about 1.7 mm altogether. You will need 40-60X and a fairly good scope to view them properly. So you may feel that the starting bid is a “bit much”. But cerite-(Ce) is an uncommon mineral and is very rare at MSH. However, small as it may be, cerite-(Ce) occurs in well formed crystals here, something that appears to be quite rare from anywhere else (judging by Mindat photos at any rate). Apart from the few others that I have, I have never seen any other samples of cerite from MSH except in photos. But based on that evidence, this seems to be a good example - despite the small size of the crystals. Associated minerals include purple/blue fluorite (not euhedral), calcite, albite and/or microcline, and a couple of unidentifieds (pink & yellow resp.)

Note: Cerite-(Ce) at MSH looks very similar to the thin “hexagonal” platy habit of rhodochrosite. The simplest way to distinguish the two is via the REE absorption lines exhibited by cerite. (But on a specimen as small as this, it may not be possible to see them – I didn’t try. Larger groups of crystals on other specimens from this find do show the absorption lines clearly.)

Weight (inc MM case) 0.2 oz. Single item shipping weight 2.4 oz. Up to 4 oz, this can be combined with other items for the same postage. Alternatively, outside the USA, this could be sent in a padded envelope for $7.