Bussenite is a rare titanium-rich silicate mineral primarily found in alkaline intrusive complexes. Collectors should look for its characteristic yellowish-brown platy crystals or fibrous mats associated with nepheline-bearing pegmatites.
Is this bussenite?
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 bussenite with a known reference. Bussenite 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: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, platy.
Often confused with
Bussenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bussenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Bussenite leaves white, Lamprophyllite leaves pale yellow, may have an orange tint; luster reads vitreous on Bussenite and submetallic on cleavages on Lamprophyllite.
How to tell apart: Bussenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Bussenite leaves white, Barytolamprophyllite leaves light brown.
Often found alongside bussenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bussenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,□)₂Ba₄(Fe,Na)₂Ti₂(Si₂O₇)₂(CO₃)₂O₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.63 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, platy
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}, moderate on {110} and {1̄10}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a sodalite-natrolite-calcite veinlet that cuts urtite in an alkaline massif
Where rockhounds find bussenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mount Kukisvumchorr, Khibiny alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a sodalite-natrolite-calcite veinlet that cuts urtite in an alkaline massif. If you start seeing natrolite, sodalite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bussenite?+
Where is bussenite found?+
What rocks look like bussenite?+
What minerals are found with bussenite?+
What kind of rock does bussenite form in?+
What is bussenite used for?+
Find bussenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
