Bazirite is a rare barium zirconium silicate belonging to the benitoite group. It is typically found as small, colorless to pale yellow prismatic crystals within alkaline intrusive rock formations.

Hardness

6-6.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareBenitoite Group family

Bazirite

Bazirite is a rare barium zirconium silicate belonging to the benitoite group. It is typically found as small, colorless to pale yellow prismatic crystals within alkaline intrusive rock formations.

Hardness: 6-6.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this bazirite?

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 bazirite with a known reference. Bazirite sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bazirite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Bazirite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside bazirite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: BaZrSi₃O₉
Mohs hardness: 6-6.5
Density: 3.84 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic Crystals
Cleavage: Poor
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find bazirite

Classic worldwide localities

Bair Island, Ireland
Khibiny Massif, Russia
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where bazirite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bazirite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-6.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, pale yellow.

Where is bazirite found?+

Notable localities include Bair Island, Ireland; Khibiny Massif, Russia; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada.

How much is bazirite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like bazirite?+

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

What minerals are found with bazirite?+

Bazirite commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Microcline, Nepheline, Eudialyte. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bazirite form in?+

Bazirite typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bazirite used for?+

Bazirite is used in collector.

Find bazirite on the map

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