Hashemite is a rare barium chromate mineral (BaCrO₄) of the baryte group. It occurs in veinlets cutting phosphate carbonate rock of the Hatrurim Formation, and its type locality is in stone quarries about 60 km southeast of Amman, Jordan. Crystals are brown, typically zoned from pale yellowish brown to darker greenish brown.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

Brownish white

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Hashemite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: Brownish white
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this hashemite?

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 hashemite with a known reference. Hashemite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brownish white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown, greenish brown, yellow brown, light yellow brown, dark greenish brow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive.

Often found alongside hashemite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: BaCrO₄
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 4.54-4.59 g/cm³
Colors: Brown Greenish brown Yellow brownLight yellow brownDark greenish brow
Streak: Brownish white
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: {001}, perfect; {010}, {100}, good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Decorative
Host rock: Disseminated in veinlets cutting phosphate carbonate rock, the stratigraphic correlative of the Mottled Zone of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel

Where rockhounds find hashemite

Classic worldwide localities

Stone quarries 60 km southeast of Amman, west-central Jordan (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Disseminated in veinlets cutting phosphate carbonate rock, the stratigraphic correlative of the Mottled Zone of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. If you start seeing chromian ettringite, apatite, bultfonteinite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hashemite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: adamantine. The streak is brownish white. Common colors include brown, greenish brown, yellow brown, light yellow brown.

Where is hashemite found?+

Notable localities include Stone quarries 60 km southeast of Amman, west-central Jordan (type locality).

Is hashemite safe to handle?+

Hashemite contains hexavalent chromium and calls for real care. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What minerals are found with hashemite?+

Hashemite commonly co-occurs with Chromian ettringite, Apatite, Bultfonteinite, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hashemite form in?+

Where it forms: Disseminated in veinlets cutting phosphate carbonate rock, the stratigraphic correlative of the Mottled Zone of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hashemite used for?+

Hashemite is used in collector, decorative.

Find hashemite on the map

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