Gamagarite is an extremely rare barium vanadium mineral found primarily in the iron-manganese deposits of the Postmasburg area. It typically occurs as small, dark brown to black tabular crystals or granular crusts, often associated with other rare manganese minerals.
Is this gamagarite?
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 gamagarite with a known reference. Gamagarite 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. Gamagarite leaves a yellowish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gamagarite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Gamagarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Gamagarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 3); streak differs, so Gamagarite leaves yellowish brown, Vanadinite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gamagarite leaves yellowish brown, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads resinous on Gamagarite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
Often found alongside gamagarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gamagarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₄(VO₄)₂Cl(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.57 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish Brown
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganiferous Iron Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find gamagarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Postmasburg, Northern Cape, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganiferous iron ore deposits country, the host setting where gamagarite typically forms. If you start seeing hematite, bixbyite, braunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find gamagarite on the map
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