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 — that is 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.