Andrémeyerite is an extremely rare barium-iron silicate primarily found in alkaline volcanic environments. Collectors typically identify it by its prismatic crystal habit within igneous cavities, often occurring alongside sanidine in the Eifel region of Germany.
Is this andrémeyerite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch andrémeyerite with a known reference. Andrémeyerite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Andrémeyerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside andrémeyerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with andrémeyerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaFe₂Si₂O₇
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100} and {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In vesicles of melilite-leucite-nephelinite; may represent crystallization of an associated green glass
Where rockhounds find andrémeyerite
Classic worldwide localities
- From the rim of Mt. Nyiragongo colano, Kivu Province, Zaire (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In vesicles of melilite-leucite-nephelinite; may represent crystallization of an associated green glass. If you start seeing nepheline, leucite, clinopyroxene in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify andrémeyerite?+
Where is andrémeyerite found?+
What rocks look like andrémeyerite?+
What minerals are found with andrémeyerite?+
What kind of rock does andrémeyerite form in?+
What is andrémeyerite used for?+
Find andrémeyerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
