Brewsterite-Ba is a rare member of the zeolite group often found as small, glassy tabular crystals in basalt cavities. It is most easily identified by its distinct platy habit and strong association with other zeolites and secondary minerals in volcanic rocks.
Is this brewsterite-ba?
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 brewsterite-ba with a known reference. Brewsterite-Ba sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Brewsterite-Ba leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Brewsterite-Ba typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellow, gray, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating clusters.
Often confused with
Brewsterite-Ba vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Brewsterite-Ba is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5-4); luster reads vitreous on Brewsterite-Ba and vitreous to pearly on Heulandite.
How to tell apart: Brewsterite-Ba is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5-4).
Often found alongside brewsterite-ba
Minerals reported to co-occur with brewsterite-ba. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ba,Sr)Al₂Si₆O₁₆·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.45-2.50 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radiating Clusters
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Basaltic Vugs and Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find brewsterite-ba
Classic worldwide localities
- Strontian, Scotland
- Oberstein, Germany
- Kilpatrick Hills, Scotland
- British Columbia, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in basaltic vugs and hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where brewsterite-ba typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, heulandite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find brewsterite-ba on the map
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