Hawthorneite is an extremely rare barium chromium titanium oxide primarily found within kimberlitic or ultra-alkaline rock matrices. Collectors typically look for small, black, hexagonal tabular crystals that exhibit a metallic luster under bright light.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareMagnetoplumbite Group family

Hawthorneite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this hawthorneite?

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 hawthorneite with a known reference. Hawthorneite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hawthorneite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Hawthorneite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, hexagonal plates.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Hawthorneite and submetallic on Crichtonite.

Compare →

Often found alongside hawthorneite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: BaCr₆Ti₆O₁₉
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 5.3 g/cm³
Colors: Black
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Hexagonal Plates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Kimberlites and Related Alkaline Rocks
Typical price: $100-500 per specimen

Where rockhounds find hawthorneite

Classic worldwide localities

Kola Peninsula, Russia
Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in kimberlites and related alkaline rocks country, the host setting where hawthorneite typically forms. If you start seeing eskolaite, chromite, rutile in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, hexagonal plates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hawthorneite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include black.

Where is hawthorneite found?+

Notable localities include Kola Peninsula, Russia; Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA.

How much is hawthorneite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like hawthorneite?+

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

What minerals are found with hawthorneite?+

Hawthorneite commonly co-occurs with Eskolaite, Chromite, Rutile. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hawthorneite form in?+

Hawthorneite typically forms in kimberlites and related alkaline rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hawthorneite used for?+

Hawthorneite is used in collector.

Find hawthorneite on the map

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