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. Bjarebyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bjarebyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals, often as small clusters or crusts.
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).
How to tell apart: Wardite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4).
How to tell apart: Childrenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4); luster reads vitreous 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
- (Ba,Sr)Mn₂Al₂(PO₄)₃(OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.61 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals, Often as Small Clusters or Crusts
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find bjarebyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Chief Mine, South Dakota, USA
- Palermo Mine, New Hampshire, USA
- Fäbodtjärn, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where bjarebyite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, apatite, siderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals, often as small clusters or crusts habit, so 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?+
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Find bjarebyite on the map
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