Bazhenovite is a rare calcium-sulfur-bearing mineral known primarily from the Bazhenovskoye asbestos deposit in Russia. It typically forms thin, yellowish, platy or lamellar crystals within the cavities of altered serpentinite rocks.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Resinous

Streak

Yellow

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Bazhenovite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Resinous
Streak: Yellow
Transparency: Translucent

Is this bazhenovite?

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 bazhenovite with a known reference. Bazhenovite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bazhenovite leaves a yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Bazhenovite typically shows a resinous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: lamellar to platy crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Görgeyite

Mohs 3.5

How to tell apart: Görgeyite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Bazhenovite leaves yellow, Görgeyite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Bazhenovite and vitreous on Görgeyite.

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Often found alongside bazhenovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₈S₅(S₂O₃)(OH)₁₂·20H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.47 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Orange-yellow
Streak: Yellow
Luster: Resinous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Lamellar to Platy Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Serpentinite and Altered Skarn Environments
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen quality

Where rockhounds find bazhenovite

Classic worldwide localities

Bazhenovskoye deposit, Ural Mountains, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in serpentinite and altered skarn environments country, the host setting where bazhenovite typically forms. If you start seeing ettringite, calcites, hydrocalumite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar to platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bazhenovite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a resinous luster. The streak is yellow. Common colors include yellow, orange-yellow.

Where is bazhenovite found?+

Notable localities include Bazhenovskoye deposit, Ural Mountains, Russia.

How much is bazhenovite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like bazhenovite?+

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

What minerals are found with bazhenovite?+

Bazhenovite commonly co-occurs with ettringite, calcites, hydrocalumite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bazhenovite form in?+

Bazhenovite typically forms in serpentinite and altered skarn environments. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bazhenovite used for?+

Bazhenovite is used in collector.

Find bazhenovite on the map

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