Bario-orthojoaquinite is an extremely rare member of the joaquinite group primarily found in alkaline intrusive complexes. Collectors should look for small, brown, tabular or wedge-shaped crystals associated with rare-earth minerals like benitoite.

Hardness

5.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale yellow

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrareJoaquinite Group family

Bario-orthojoaquinite

Hardness: 5.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale yellow
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

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Is this bario-orthojoaquinite?

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 bario-orthojoaquinite with a known reference. Bario-orthojoaquinite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellow.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Bario-orthojoaquinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Strontiojoaquinite

Mohs 5.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Bario-orthojoaquinite leaves pale yellow, Strontiojoaquinite leaves white.

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Often found alongside bario-orthojoaquinite

Minerals reported to co-occur with bario-orthojoaquinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ba₄Fe₂Ti₂O₂(SiO₃)₈·H₂O
Mohs hardness: 5.5
Density: 3.96 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellowish brown
Streak: Pale yellow
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: {001}, good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a block of highly fractured basalt subjected to high-pressure metamorphism and serpentinization

Where rockhounds find bario-orthojoaquinite

Classic worldwide localities

Gem mine, San Benito Co., California, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a block of highly fractured basalt subjected to high-pressure metamorphism and serpentinization. If you start seeing benitoite, baotite, fresnoite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bario-orthojoaquinite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale yellow. Common colors include yellow, yellowish brown.

Where is bario-orthojoaquinite found?+

Notable localities include Gem mine, San Benito Co., California, USA.

What rocks look like bario-orthojoaquinite?+

Bario-orthojoaquinite is most often confused with Strontiojoaquinite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with bario-orthojoaquinite?+

Bario-orthojoaquinite commonly co-occurs with Benitoite, Baotite, Fresnoite, Natrolite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bario-orthojoaquinite form in?+

Where it forms: In a block of highly fractured basalt subjected to high-pressure metamorphism and serpentinization. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bario-orthojoaquinite used for?+

Bario-orthojoaquinite is used in collector.

Find bario-orthojoaquinite on the map

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