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 — that is 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
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