Cymrite is a rare barium phyllosilicate mineral that often forms thin, pearly, micaceous plates. It is typically found in low-grade metamorphic rocks and hydrothermal deposits associated with barite-rich environments. Collectors should look for its distinctive pearly luster and perfect basal cleavage, which makes it look remarkably like mica.
Is this cymrite?
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 cymrite with a known reference. Cymrite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cymrite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cymrite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow, brownish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous masses.
Often confused with
Cymrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside cymrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cymrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaAl₂Si₂ (O,OH)₈·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Micaceous Masses
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metasedimentary Rocks, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find cymrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hessian, Germany
- Bodie District, California, USA
- Wales, United Kingdom
- Tanohata Mine, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in metasedimentary rocks, hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where cymrite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, baryte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, micaceous masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cymrite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
