Chlorbartonite is a rare potassium iron sulfide chloride mineral discovered in alkaline massifs. It typically appears as dark green to black submetallic grains or platy crystals often found within the core of magnetite-rich rocks. Collectors prize it for its unique chemical composition related to the baronite group.
Is this chlorbartonite?
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 chlorbartonite with a known reference. Chlorbartonite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chlorbartonite leaves a greenish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chlorbartonite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, olive green, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Chlorbartonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chlorbartonite leaves greenish-black, Bartonite leaves dark reddish-brown; luster reads submetallic on Chlorbartonite and metallic on Bartonite.
How to tell apart: Chlorbartonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 1); streak differs, so Chlorbartonite leaves greenish-black, Valleriite leaves black; luster reads submetallic on Chlorbartonite and metallic on Valleriite.
Often found alongside chlorbartonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chlorbartonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₆Fe₂₄S₂₆Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 3.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- Greenish-black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find chlorbartonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kovdor Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where chlorbartonite typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, phlogopite, forsterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chlorbartonite on the map
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