Bikitaite is a rare lithium-bearing zeolite mineral typically found in complex granite pegmatites. It forms small, clear to white prismatic crystals often associated with other lithium minerals like petalite and eucryptite.
Is this bikitaite?
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 bikitaite with a known reference. Bikitaite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bikitaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bikitaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Bikitaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bikitaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bikitaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiAlSi₂O₆·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.33 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Lithium-rich Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen depending on crystal size
Where rockhounds find bikitaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bikita mine, Zimbabwe
- Kings Mountain, North Carolina, USA
- Tanco mine, Manitoba, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in lithium-rich granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where bikitaite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, eucryptite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bikitaite?+
Where is bikitaite found?+
How much is bikitaite worth?+
What rocks look like bikitaite?+
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Find bikitaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
