Barioperovskite is a rare member of the perovskite group, occurring primarily as an accessory mineral in alkaline igneous environments. It is most easily identified by its characteristic pseudocubic crystal habit and association with other titanium-bearing minerals in complex igneous intrusions.

Hardness

5.5

Mohs

Luster

Submetallic

Streak

Brown

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrarePerovskite Group family

Barioperovskite

Hardness: 5.5
Luster: Submetallic
Streak: Brown
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this barioperovskite?

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 barioperovskite with a known reference. Barioperovskite 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. Barioperovskite leaves a brown streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Barioperovskite typically shows a submetallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: pseudocubic crystals.

Often confused with

Barioperovskite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Perovskite

Mohs 5.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Barioperovskite leaves brown, Perovskite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Barioperovskite and adamantine on Perovskite.

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Often found alongside barioperovskite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: BaTiO₃
Mohs hardness: 5.5
Density: 4.8-5.0 g/cm³
Colors: Black Brown
Streak: Brown
Luster: Submetallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Pseudocubic Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find barioperovskite

Classic worldwide localities

Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA
Khibiny Massif, Russia
Jacupiranga, Brazil

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where barioperovskite typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, calcite, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudocubic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify barioperovskite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5. It typically shows a submetallic luster. The streak is brown. Common colors include black, brown.

Where is barioperovskite found?+

Notable localities include Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA; Khibiny Massif, Russia; Jacupiranga, Brazil.

How much is barioperovskite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like barioperovskite?+

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

What minerals are found with barioperovskite?+

Barioperovskite commonly co-occurs with Magnetite, Calcite, Apatite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does barioperovskite form in?+

Barioperovskite typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is barioperovskite used for?+

Barioperovskite is used in collector.

Find barioperovskite on the map

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