Hanjiangite is a rare barium-calcium phyllosilicate mineral known for its distinctive micaceous structure and pearly luster. It typically occurs as delicate, pale-colored platy crystals within hydrothermal deposits and is primarily prized by advanced mineral collectors for its unique chemistry.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Greenish white

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrarePhyllosilicate family

Hanjiangite

Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Greenish white
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this hanjiangite?

5-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 hanjiangite with a known reference. Hanjiangite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: greenish white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow-green, dark green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: lamellar aggregates, micaceous flakes.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Muscovite

Mohs 2.5-4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hanjiangite leaves greenish white, Muscovite leaves white.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hanjiangite leaves greenish white, Barite leaves white.

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Often found alongside hanjiangite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ba₂Ca(VAl)(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂F(CO₃)₂
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 3.69 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow-green Dark green
Streak: Greenish white
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Lamellar aggregates, micaceous flakes
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Disseminated in lenticular bodies and veins associated with strataform hydrothermal barium deposits

Where rockhounds find hanjiangite

Classic worldwide localities

Shiti barium deposit, Dabashan region, China

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Disseminated in lenticular bodies and veins associated with strataform hydrothermal barium deposits. If you start seeing witherite, barite, barytocalcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: lamellar aggregates, micaceous flakes. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hanjiangite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. Luster: vitreous. The streak is greenish white. Common colors include yellow-green, dark green.

Where is hanjiangite found?+

Notable localities include Shiti barium deposit, Dabashan region, China.

Is hanjiangite safe to handle?+

Hanjiangite contains vanadium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like hanjiangite?+

Hanjiangite is most often confused with Muscovite, Barite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hanjiangite?+

Hanjiangite commonly co-occurs with Witherite, Barite, Barytocalcite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hanjiangite form in?+

Where it forms: Disseminated in lenticular bodies and veins associated with strataform hydrothermal barium deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hanjiangite used for?+

Hanjiangite is used in collector.

Find hanjiangite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.