Haggertyite is an extremely rare barium-iron-titanium oxide mineral typically found in metamorphic sanbornite deposits. Collectors should look for distinct, small black tabular crystals associated with barium minerals in California localities.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareMagnetoplumbite Group family

Haggertyite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this haggertyite?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch haggertyite with a known reference. Haggertyite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Haggertyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Magnetoplumbite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Magnetoplumbite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 5).

Often found alongside haggertyite

Minerals reported to co-occur with haggertyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: BaMgFe₄Fe₂Ti₅O₁₉
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 4.74 g/cm³
Colors: Gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As isolated crystals or in small groups within the reaction rims around serpentinized mafic xenoliths in olivine lamproite (Arkansas); in the groundmass of diamondiferous olivine lamproite pipes (Australia)

Where rockhounds find haggertyite

Classic worldwide localities

Prairie Creek lamproite, Crater of Diamonds State Park, near Murfreesboro, Pike County, Arkansas, USA
Walgidee Hills and the Ellendale 9 pipe, West Kimberley region, Western Australia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As isolated crystals or in small groups within the reaction rims around serpentinized mafic xenoliths in olivine lamproite (Arkansas); in the groundmass of diamondiferous olivine lamproite pipes (Australia). If you start seeing ti-k richterite, diopside, chrome-spinel in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify haggertyite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: metallic. Common colors include gray.

Where is haggertyite found?+

Notable localities include Prairie Creek lamproite, Crater of Diamonds State Park, near Murfreesboro, Pike County, Arkansas, USA; Walgidee Hills and the Ellendale 9 pipe, West Kimberley region, Western Australia.

What rocks look like haggertyite?+

Haggertyite is most often confused with Magnetoplumbite, Hematite, Ilmenite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with haggertyite?+

Haggertyite commonly co-occurs with Ti-K richterite, Diopside, Chrome-spinel, Olivine, Ilmenite, Jeppeite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does haggertyite form in?+

Where it forms: As isolated crystals or in small groups within the reaction rims around serpentinized mafic xenoliths in olivine lamproite (Arkansas); in the groundmass of diamondiferous olivine lamproite pipes (Australia). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is haggertyite used for?+

Haggertyite is used in collector.

Find haggertyite on the map

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