Batiferrite is a rare hexagonal oxide mineral belonging to the magnetoplumbite group. It is primarily found as black tabular crystals within metamorphosed manganese-rich ore deposits and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this batiferrite?
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 batiferrite with a known reference. Batiferrite sits at Mohs ~6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, hexagonal, platy.
Often confused with
Batiferrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads submetallic on Batiferrite and metallic, brilliant on Magnetoplumbite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Batiferrite leaves dark brown, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown; luster reads submetallic on Batiferrite and metallic or submetallic to dull on Hematite.
Often found alongside batiferrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with batiferrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaTi₂Fe₈Fe₂O₁₉
- Mohs hardness
- ~6
- Density
- 5.016 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral crystals, hexagonal, platy
- Cleavage
- Good on {00*1}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In cavities within melilite- and leucite-nephelinite basalts
Where rockhounds find batiferrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Udersdorf, Graulai, and Altburg, western Eifel area, Germany (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In cavities within melilite- and leucite-nephelinite basalts. If you start seeing hematite, magnetite, titanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, hexagonal, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find batiferrite on the map
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