Balipholite is a rare lithium-bearing silicate mineral found as thin, tabular crystals. It is primarily known from its type locality in India and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors due to its restricted occurrence.
Is this balipholite?
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 balipholite with a known reference. Balipholite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Balipholite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Balipholite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, thin plates.
Often confused with
Balipholite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside balipholite
Minerals reported to co-occur with balipholite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaMgLiAl₃(Si₂O₆)F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Thin Plates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatite
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find balipholite
Classic worldwide localities
- Baliphol, India
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatite country — that is the host setting where balipholite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, mica in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, thin plates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find balipholite on the map
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