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.
Is this bario-orthojoaquinite?
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 bario-orthojoaquinite with a known reference. Bario-orthojoaquinite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bario-orthojoaquinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bario-orthojoaquinite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, yellow-brown, tan.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal 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.
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
- Ba₄Fe²⁺Ti₂Si₈O₂₆(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 3.95 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find bario-orthojoaquinite
Classic worldwide localities
- San Benito County, California, USA
- Mount Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where bario-orthojoaquinite typically forms. If you start seeing benitoite, nefedovite, serandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bario-orthojoaquinite on the map
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