Batagayite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral discovered at the Batagay deposit in Russia. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals or radiating aggregates associated with hydrothermal sulfide mineralization. Due to its scarcity, it is almost exclusively found in advanced mineral collections rather than the general market.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Batagayite

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

No image

Is this batagayite?

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 batagayite with a known reference. Batagayite 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. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside batagayite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: CaZn₂(Zn,Cu)₆(PO₄)₄[PO₃(OH)]₃·12H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.90 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, radiating aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A secondary low-temperature mineral formed by alteration of primary minerals (copper and fluorapatite) in a quartz-phosphate mass ~5 m in diameter within greisenized cassiterite-bearing granodiorite

Where rockhounds find batagayite

Classic worldwide localities

Këster Sn-Ta deposit, Arga-Ynnykh-Khai massif, NE Yakutia, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A secondary low-temperature mineral formed by alteration of primary minerals (copper and fluorapatite) in a quartz-phosphate mass ~5 m in diameter within greisenized cassiterite-bearing granodiorite. If you start seeing copper, arsenolite, tobermorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify batagayite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is batagayite found?+

Notable localities include Këster Sn-Ta deposit, Arga-Ynnykh-Khai massif, NE Yakutia, Russia.

Is batagayite safe to handle?+

Batagayite contains copper. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like batagayite?+

Batagayite is most often confused with Hopeite, Parahopeite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with batagayite?+

Batagayite commonly co-occurs with Copper, Arsenolite, Tobermorite, Epifanovite, Libethenite, Na-analogue of batagayite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does batagayite form in?+

Where it forms: A secondary low-temperature mineral formed by alteration of primary minerals (copper and fluorapatite) in a quartz-phosphate mass ~5 m in diameter within greisenized cassiterite-bearing granodiorite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is batagayite used for?+

Batagayite is used in collector.

Find batagayite on the map

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