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, 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.
