Bariosincosite is a very rare barium-vanadium phosphate mineral occurring as small, vibrant green tabular crystals. It is primarily found in association with secondary vanadium mineralization within sedimentary deposits and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this bariosincosite?
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 bariosincosite with a known reference. Bariosincosite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale green, pale bluish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: divergent, platy, radial.
Often confused with
Bariosincosite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bariosincosite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1-2); streak differs, so Bariosincosite leaves very pale green, Sincosite leaves green.
How to tell apart: Variscite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Bariosincosite leaves very pale green, Variscite leaves white.
Often found alongside bariosincosite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bariosincosite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaV₂O₂(PO₄)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.40 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale greenPale bluish green
- Streak
- Very pale green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Divergent, platy, radial
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of low-temperature late-stage hydrothermal or supergene origin in a small vein
Where rockhounds find bariosincosite
Classic worldwide localities
- Spring Creek mine, near Wilmington, southern Flinders Ranges, South Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of low-temperature late-stage hydrothermal or supergene origin in a small vein. If you start seeing quartz, copper, cuprite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: divergent, platy, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bariosincosite on the map
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