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 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bafertisite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bafertisite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Bafertisite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bafertisite leaves yellowish, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads pearly on Bafertisite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bafertisite leaves yellowish, Lamprophyllite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Bafertisite and vitreous 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
- Ba₂Fe²⁺₄Ti₂(Si₂O₇)₂O₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.8-3.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Micaceous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find bafertisite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bayan Obo, China
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, pegmatites country — that is the host setting where bafertisite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, fluorite, baryite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, micaceous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bafertisite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
