Barnesite is a rare sodium vanadium oxide hydrate typically found as dark, reddish-brown platy crystals or crusts in sedimentary uranium-vanadium deposits. It is a secondary mineral that forms through the oxidation of primary vanadium minerals in arid environments, most notably in the Colorado Plateau region of the United States.
Is this barnesite?
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 barnesite with a known reference. Barnesite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Barnesite leaves a yellowish-orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Barnesite typically shows a subadamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Barnesite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Barnesite leaves yellowish-orange, Corvusite leaves black; luster reads subadamantine on Barnesite and dull on Corvusite.
How to tell apart: Barnesite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2 vs. approx 1); streak differs — Barnesite leaves yellowish-orange, Hewettite leaves brownish red; luster reads subadamantine on Barnesite and pearly on Hewettite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Barnesite leaves yellowish-orange, Navajoite leaves yellowish-brown; luster reads subadamantine on Barnesite and dull on Navajoite.
Often found alongside barnesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with barnesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂V₆O₁₆·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-orange
- Luster
- Subadamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Sandstone Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find barnesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Thompson District, Utah, USA
- Paradox Valley, Colorado, USA
- Canyon County, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary sandstone deposits country — that is the host setting where barnesite typically forms. If you start seeing hewettite, tyuyamunite, carnotite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify barnesite?+
Where is barnesite found?+
How much is barnesite worth?+
Is barnesite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like barnesite?+
What minerals are found with barnesite?+
What kind of rock does barnesite form in?+
What is barnesite used for?+
Find barnesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
