Bitikleite is a rare garnet-group mineral characterized by the presence of antimony in its crystal structure. It is primarily found in the high-temperature metasomatic environments of the Chegem caldera in Russia, appearing as small, dark, dodecahedral crystals associated with other rare silicate minerals.
Is this bitikleite?
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 bitikleite with a known reference. Bitikleite 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: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: strong vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Bitikleite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads strong vitreous on Bitikleite and adamantine to resinous, dull on Andradite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Bitikleite leaves white, Kimzeyite leaves light brown; luster reads strong vitreous on Bitikleite and vitreous on Kimzeyite.
Often found alongside bitikleite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bitikleite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃(SbSn)(AlO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 4.505 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Strong vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the cuspidine zone of high-temperature skarns in a carbonate-silicate xenolith at the contact with ignimbrites
Where rockhounds find bitikleite
Classic worldwide localities
- Within the Upper Chegem structure, near Mt. Lakargi, Northern Caucasus, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the cuspidine zone of high-temperature skarns in a carbonate-silicate xenolith at the contact with ignimbrites. If you start seeing cuspidine, fluorite, wadalite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bitikleite?+
Where is bitikleite found?+
Is bitikleite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like bitikleite?+
What minerals are found with bitikleite?+
What kind of rock does bitikleite form in?+
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Find bitikleite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
