Byströmite is a rare magnesium antimonate mineral that typically forms as small, prismatic, transparent yellow crystals. It is most commonly found in association with antimony ore bodies and is a prized target for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this byströmite?
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 byströmite with a known reference. Byströmite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Byströmite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Byströmite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Byströmite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside byströmite
Minerals reported to co-occur with byströmite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgSb₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 7.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Antimony Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find byströmite
Classic worldwide localities
- Munroe mine, Ontario, Canada
- Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in antimony deposits country, the host setting where byströmite typically forms. If you start seeing antimony, stibnite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find byströmite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
