Devitoite is a rare barium iron phosphate, typically brown. It is an alteration product of gillepsite along fractures and parting planes in a sanbornite-bearing rock. It was first described from the Esquire #8 and #7 claims along Big Creek, eastern Fresno County, California, USA.
Is this devitoite?
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 devitoite with a known reference. Devitoite sits at Mohs ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: cream to pale brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy or micaceous crystals.
Often found alongside devitoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with devitoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₆Fe²⁺₇Fe³⁺₂(Si₄O₁₂)₂(PO₄)₂(CO₃)O₂(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 4.044 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Cream to pale brown
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or micaceous crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}, good on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An alteration product of gillepsite along fractures and parting planes in a sanbornite-bearing rock
Where rockhounds find devitoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Esquire #8 and #7 claims along Big Creek in SE¼ SW¼, Section 22, T11S, R25E, Mount Diablo Meridian, eastern Fresno County, California, USA
- Trumbull Peak, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An alteration product of gillepsite along fractures and parting planes in a sanbornite-bearing rock. If you start seeing gillespite, titantaramellite, celsian in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy or micaceous crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify devitoite?+
Where is devitoite found?+
What minerals are found with devitoite?+
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Find devitoite on the map
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