Cenerete

Cenerete is a rare silicate mineral that crystallizes in the monoclinic system and is typically found as fine-grained, plate-like crystals or as coatings on other minerals. It is described as having an ash-gray to brown color, a vitreous to pearly luster, and a white to gray streak. In hand specimen it can appear powdery or slightly granular, and its cleavage is imperfect.

The chemical composition of cenerete is mainly calcium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen, with minor amounts of iron and sodium. Traces of rare earth elements have been detected in some samples. Because it is uncommon and tends to occur in very small crystals, its exact empirical formula can vary between specimens. The mineral is usually associated with basaltic and ultramafic rocks and is commonly found in oxidized zones where secondary alteration has occurred.

Cenerete was first described in the early 2010s by mineralogists working in Chile, based on material collected from an ultramafic contact zone. The name is derived from cenere, the Italian word for ash, in reference to its ash-like color and the powdery aspect observed in some specimens.

Occurrence and formation are linked to hydrothermal and low-temperature alteration processes in mafic rocks. It has been reported in only a handful of localities, and as such it is not known to have any significant economic use. Research interest centers on its unique crystal structure and its potential as a tracer mineral for oxidation zones in mafic rock environments. Further study may refine its classification, purity, and potential applications.