Batisite is a rare sodium barium titanosilicate that typically occurs as prismatic crystals or granular masses within alkaline pegmatites. It is most notably associated with the complex mineralogy of the Khibiny and Lovozero massifs in Russia. Collectors prize it for its unique chemical structure and relative scarcity in the global market.
Is this batisite?
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 batisite with a known reference. Batisite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Batisite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Batisite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Batisite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside batisite
Minerals reported to co-occur with batisite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂BaTi₂Si₄O₁₂O₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find batisite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, pegmatites country — that is the host setting where batisite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find batisite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
