Bariopharmacoalumite is a rare secondary mineral typically found as small, vibrant yellow pseudo-cubic crystals in oxidized arsenic ore deposits. It is a member of the pharmacosiderite supergroup and is primarily sought by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare arsenates.
Is this bariopharmacoalumite?
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 bariopharmacoalumite with a known reference. Bariopharmacoalumite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: pseudo-cubic crystals, cubic.
Often confused with
Bariopharmacoalumite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bariopharmacoalumite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5).
How to tell apart: Bariopharmacoalumite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Bariopharmacoalumite leaves white, Pharmacosiderite leaves yellowish green.
Often found alongside bariopharmacoalumite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bariopharmacoalumite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₀.₅Al₄(AsO₄)₃(OH)₄·4-5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.580 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudo-cubic crystals, cubic
- Cleavage
- Imperfect, {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral coating fractures and cavities in tetrahedrite-tennantite bearing rocks undergoing near-surface weathering
Where rockhounds find bariopharmacoalumite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cap Garonne mines, near Le Pradet, Var, France, Italy
- Mina Grande, Chile, Italy
- Gambatesa mine, Val Graveglia, Liguria, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral coating fractures and cavities in tetrahedrite-tennantite bearing rocks undergoing near-surface weathering. If you start seeing mansfieldite, philipsbornite, beudantite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: pseudo-cubic crystals, cubic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bariopharmacoalumite?+
Where is bariopharmacoalumite found?+
Is bariopharmacoalumite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like bariopharmacoalumite?+
What minerals are found with bariopharmacoalumite?+
What kind of rock does bariopharmacoalumite form in?+
What is bariopharmacoalumite used for?+
Find bariopharmacoalumite on the map
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