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.
Is this hanjiangite?
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 hanjiangite with a known reference. Hanjiangite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hanjiangite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hanjiangite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: lamellar aggregates, micaceous flakes.
Often confused with
Hanjiangite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
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(Si₄Al₂O₁₀)(CO₃)F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 2.75 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lamellar Aggregates, Micaceous Flakes
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Vein
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hanjiangite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal vein country — that is the host setting where hanjiangite typically forms. If you start seeing baryte, calcite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar aggregates, micaceous flakes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hanjiangite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
