Dresserite is a rare barium aluminum carbonate mineral most notably found in the unique geological environment of the Mont Saint-Hilaire alkaline complex. It typically forms delicate white, bladed, or radiating spherical clusters within vugs of igneous rock.
Is this dresserite?
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 dresserite with a known reference. Dresserite 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. Dresserite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dresserite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed aggregates, radial clusters, spherical aggregates.
Often confused with
Dresserite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dresserite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dresserite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaAl₂(CO₃)₂(OH)₄·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.55 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Aggregates, Radial Clusters, Spherical Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on quality and size
Where rockhounds find dresserite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where dresserite typically forms. If you start seeing dawsonite, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed aggregates, radial clusters, spherical aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dresserite on the map
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