Barićite is a rare magnesium-dominant member of the vivianite group often found in phosphate-rich iron formations. It typically occurs as small, pale blue to blue-green prismatic crystals or radial clusters, visually similar to vivianite but generally lighter in color.
Is this barićite?
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 barićite with a known reference. Barićite 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: white to pale blue, darkening after several days.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, pearly on {010}.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, light blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Barićite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Ludlamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Barićite leaves white to pale blue, darkening after several days, Ludlamite leaves pale greenish white.
How to tell apart: Kryzhanovskite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Barićite leaves white to pale blue, darkening after several days, Kryzhanovskite leaves yellowish brown.
Often found alongside barićite
Minerals reported to co-occur with barićite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₃(PO₄)₂(H₂O)₈
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 2.35-2.42 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White to pale blue, darkening after several days
- Luster
- Vitreous, pearly on {010}
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals, radial aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As fracture fillings in sideritic iron formation (Yukon Territory, Canada); as a folded ribbonlike mass in sediment from a raised beach (Marlborough Province, New Zealand)
Where rockhounds find barićite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Fish River-Rapid Creek area, Yukon Territory, Canada
- Marlborough Province, New Zealand
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As fracture fillings in sideritic iron formation (Yukon Territory, Canada); as a folded ribbonlike mass in sediment from a raised beach (Marlborough Province, New Zealand). If you start seeing siderite, vivianite, lazulite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify barićite?+
Where is barićite found?+
What rocks look like barićite?+
What minerals are found with barićite?+
What kind of rock does barićite form in?+
What is barićite used for?+
Find barićite on the map
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