Cámaraite is a rare mineral belonging to the bafertisite group, primarily discovered in the agpaitic pegmatites of the Khibiny Massif. It is typically found as small, thin, platy yellow to brown crystals associated with other alkaline igneous minerals.
Is this cámaraite?
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 cámaraite with a known reference. Cámaraite 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. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange-red, brownish-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Cámaraite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cámaraite leaves pale yellow, Bafertisite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Cámaraite is noticeably harder (Mohs <5 vs. 2-3); luster reads vitreous on Cámaraite and submetallic on cleavages on Lamprophyllite.
Often found alongside cámaraite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cámaraite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaBa₃Fe₈Ti₄(Si₂O₇)₄O₄(OH)₄F₃
- Mohs hardness
- <5
- Density
- 3.871 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A hydrothermal mineral in the extensively recrystallized contact zone of a fenitized granite
Where rockhounds find cámaraite
Classic worldwide localities
- Verkhnee Espe Deposit, Akjailyautas Mountains, eastern Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A hydrothermal mineral in the extensively recrystallized contact zone of a fenitized granite. If you start seeing bafertisite, jinshajiangite, zircon in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cámaraite?+
Where is cámaraite found?+
What rocks look like cámaraite?+
What minerals are found with cámaraite?+
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Find cámaraite on the map
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