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 — Gamagarite leaves yellowish brown, Vanadinite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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