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. Barićite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Barićite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green, colorless.
- 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: Streak differs — Barićite leaves white, Vivianite leaves white to light blue.
How to tell apart: Ludlamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2).
How to tell apart: Kryzhanovskite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Barićite leaves white, Kryzhanovskite leaves yellowish-white.
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
- (Mg,Fe²⁺)₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 2.68 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Iron-formation
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find barićite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Fish River, Yukon Territory, Canada
- Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary iron-formation country — that is the host setting where barićite typically forms. If you start seeing vivianite, ludlamite, siderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find barićite on the map
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