Frankdicksonite is an extremely rare barium fluoride mineral typically found as tiny, colorless cubes in association with other hydrothermal minerals. It is primarily known from select gold mines in Nevada where it occurs in barite-rich veins, making it a highly sought-after prize for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this frankdicksonite?
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 frankdicksonite with a known reference. Frankdicksonite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: small cubes or crystalline masses.
Often confused with
Frankdicksonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside frankdicksonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with frankdicksonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaF₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~2.5
- Density
- 4.89 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Small cubes or crystalline masses
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {111}
- Fluorescence
- Blue under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of hydrothermal origin, encased in quartz veinlets cutting a gold deposit in silicified carbonaceous arsenic-rich limestone
Where rockhounds find frankdicksonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Carlin mine, 50 km northwest of Elko, Lynn district, Eureka Co., Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin, encased in quartz veinlets cutting a gold deposit in silicified carbonaceous arsenic-rich limestone. If you start seeing quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: small cubes or crystalline masses. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify frankdicksonite?+
Where is frankdicksonite found?+
What rocks look like frankdicksonite?+
What minerals are found with frankdicksonite?+
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Find frankdicksonite on the map
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