Barentsite is a rare sodium aluminum carbonate-fluoride mineral typically found in hyperagpaitic pegmatites. Collectors should look for small, glassy, tabular crystals associated with bright red villiaumite or other alkaline minerals in the Kola Peninsula.
Is this barentsite?
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 barentsite with a known reference. Barentsite 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. Barentsite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Barentsite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, often as rounded grains.
Often confused with
Barentsite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside barentsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with barentsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₇Al(CO₃)₃(HCO₃)₄F₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.85 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Prismatic Crystals, Often as Rounded Grains
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {1011}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks of The Kola Peninsula
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and clarity
Where rockhounds find barentsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks of the kola peninsula country — that is the host setting where barentsite typically forms. If you start seeing villiaumite, sodalite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to prismatic crystals, often as rounded grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find barentsite on the map
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