Bjarebyite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic dark green, often sub-millimeter to small millimeter-sized prismatic crystals associated with other phosphate minerals in hydrothermal pockets.
Is this bjarebyite?
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 bjarebyite with a known reference. Bjarebyite sits at Mohs 4, 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: subadamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular, prismatic, striated.
Often confused with
Bjarebyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Brazilianite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 4); luster reads subadamantine on Bjarebyite and vitreous on Brazilianite.
How to tell apart: Wardite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4); luster reads subadamantine on Bjarebyite and vitreous on Wardite.
How to tell apart: Childrenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4); luster reads subadamantine on Bjarebyite and vitreous to resinous on Childrenite.
Often found alongside bjarebyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bjarebyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaMn₂Al₂(PO₄)₃(OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.90-3.95 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Subadamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, prismatic, striated
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010} and {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare late stage reaction product of triphylite and amblygonite in complex granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find bjarebyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Palermo #1 mine, near North Groton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
- Buranga pegmatite, near Gatumba, Rwanda
- Västanå mine, near Näsum, Skåne, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare late stage reaction product of triphylite and amblygonite in complex granite pegmatites. If you start seeing palermoite, augelite, childrenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, prismatic, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bjarebyite?+
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What rocks look like bjarebyite?+
What minerals are found with bjarebyite?+
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Find bjarebyite on the map
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