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

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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.

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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 — that is 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.