Baksanite is a rare bismuth telluride sulfide that typically appears as metallic, steel-gray plates. It is primarily found in skarn environments and is often difficult to distinguish from other members of the tetradymite group without analytical verification.
Is this baksanite?
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 baksanite with a known reference. Baksanite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, foliated masses.
Often confused with
Baksanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside baksanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with baksanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi₆Te₂S₃
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 8.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, foliated masses
- Cleavage
- Perfect, on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- In altered magnetite–andradite skarn
Where rockhounds find baksanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tyrnyauz W–Mo deposit, left bank of the Baksan River Valley, northern Caucasus Mountains, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In altered magnetite–andradite skarn. If you start seeing gold, bismuthinite, ingodite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, foliated masses. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify baksanite?+
Where is baksanite found?+
Is baksanite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like baksanite?+
What minerals are found with baksanite?+
What kind of rock does baksanite form in?+
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Find baksanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
