Batisivite is a rare barium titanium vanadium silicate that forms black equant to elongate grains. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2006. It was first described from Slyudyanka Complex, southern Baikal region, Russia.
Is this batisivite?
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 batisivite with a known reference. Batisivite sits at Mohs 7-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: equant to elongate grains.
Often confused with
Batisivite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Batisivite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Batisivite leaves black, Lamprophyllite leaves pale yellow, may have an orange tint; luster reads resinous on Batisivite and submetallic on cleavages on Lamprophyllite.
How to tell apart: Batisivite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Batisivite leaves black, Barytolamprophyllite leaves light brown; luster reads resinous on Batisivite and vitreous on Barytolamprophyllite.
Often found alongside batisivite
Minerals reported to co-occur with batisivite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaTi₆(V,Cr)₈(Si₂O₇)O₂₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 4.624 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Equant to elongate grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An accessory mineral, frequently intergrown with schreyerite in quartz bands, in a Cr-V-rich quartz-diopside metamorphic rock
Where rockhounds find batisivite
Classic worldwide localities
- Slyudyanka Complex, southern Baikal region, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An accessory mineral, frequently intergrown with schreyerite in quartz bands, in a Cr-V-rich quartz-diopside metamorphic rock. If you start seeing calcite, schreyerite, berdesinskiite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant to elongate grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find batisivite on the map
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