Barrotite is a very rare zinc-calcium silicate mineral typically found as delicate, acicular, radiating crystal sprays. It is primarily identified through its unique chemical composition and specific locality origins in French hydrothermal deposits.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Barrotite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this barrotite?

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 barrotite with a known reference. Barrotite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Barrotite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Barrotite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating clusters.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Hemimorphite

Mohs 4.5-5

How to tell apart: Hemimorphite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3).

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Often found alongside barrotite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₄Zn₈Si₄O₁₆(OH)₈·12H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.44 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Acicular Crystals, Radiating Clusters
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find barrotite

Classic worldwide localities

Barrois, France

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where barrotite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, smithsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiating clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify barrotite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is barrotite found?+

Notable localities include Barrois, France.

How much is barrotite 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 barrotite?+

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

What minerals are found with barrotite?+

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

What kind of rock does barrotite form in?+

Barrotite typically forms in hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is barrotite used for?+

Barrotite is used in collector.

Find barrotite on the map

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