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.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, pearly on cleavages; dull when altered

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Barentsite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous, pearly on cleavages; dull when altered
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this barentsite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch barentsite with a known reference. Barentsite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, pearly on cleavages; dull when altered.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: anhedral 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)₂(HCO₃)₂F₄
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.56 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous, pearly on cleavages; dull when altered
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains
Cleavage: {001} and {110}, perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Rare in hydrothermal veinlets in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif

Where rockhounds find barentsite

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Restin’yun, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Rare in hydrothermal veinlets in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing shortite, villiaumite, cryolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify barentsite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: vitreous, pearly on cleavages; dull when altered. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is barentsite found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Restin’yun, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like barentsite?+

Barentsite is most often confused with Dawsonite, Nahcolite, Trona. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with barentsite?+

Barentsite commonly co-occurs with Shortite, Villiaumite, Cryolite, Neighborite, Bonshtedtite, Natrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does barentsite form in?+

Where it forms: Rare in hydrothermal veinlets in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is barentsite used for?+

Barentsite is used in collector.

Find barentsite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.