Bafertisite is a rare barium-iron-titanium silicate mineral typically found in alkaline igneous complexes. It is easily recognized by its distinct platy, micaceous habit and pearly luster, closely resembling members of the astrophyllite group.
Is this bafertisite?
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 bafertisite with a known reference. Bafertisite sits at Mohs ~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: red, yellowish red, light brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Bafertisite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bafertisite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Bafertisite leaves white, Astrophyllite leaves golden; luster reads vitreous on Bafertisite and submetallic, pearly, greasy on Astrophyllite.
How to tell apart: Bafertisite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Bafertisite leaves white, Lamprophyllite leaves pale yellow, may have an orange tint; luster reads vitreous on Bafertisite and submetallic on cleavages on Lamprophyllite.
Often found alongside bafertisite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bafertisite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₂Fe₄Ti₂(Si₂O₇)₂O₂(OH)₂F₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 3.96-4.25 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In hydrothermal veins (Baiyun-Obo deposit, China); in a dike of microcline granite-aplite (Burpala massif, Russia)
Where rockhounds find bafertisite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fountain quarry, near Fountain, Pitt Co., North Carolina, USA
- Baiyun-Obo mine, near Pao-t'ou, Inner Mongolia, China
- Burpala massif, about 120 km north of Lake Baikal, eastern Siberia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermal veins (Baiyun-Obo deposit, China); in a dike of microcline granite-aplite (Burpala massif, Russia). If you start seeing aegirine, fluorite, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bafertisite?+
Where is bafertisite found?+
What rocks look like bafertisite?+
What minerals are found with bafertisite?+
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Find bafertisite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
