Henrymeyerite is a very rare barium-iron-titanium oxide belonging to the hollandite group. It typically appears as small, black, prismatic to needle-like crystals occurring within alkaline rock complexes. Collectors primarily find this mineral in the Kovdor Massif of Russia, where it is often associated with magnetite and silicate minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareHollandite Group family

Henrymeyerite

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

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Is this henrymeyerite?

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 henrymeyerite with a known reference. Henrymeyerite 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. Henrymeyerite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Henrymeyerite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Henrymeyerite leaves black, Manaksite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Henrymeyerite and vitreous on Manaksite.

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Often found alongside henrymeyerite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: BaFe²⁺Ti₇O₁₆
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 4.95 g/cm³
Colors: Black
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic to Acicular Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Alkaline Ultramafic Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find henrymeyerite

Classic worldwide localities

Kovdor Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline ultramafic rocks country — that is the host setting where henrymeyerite typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, forsterite, phlogopite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to acicular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify henrymeyerite?+

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

Where is henrymeyerite found?+

Notable localities include Kovdor Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is henrymeyerite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like henrymeyerite?+

Henrymeyerite is most often confused with Hollandite, Priderite, Manaksite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with henrymeyerite?+

Henrymeyerite commonly co-occurs with Magnetite, Forsterite, Phlogopite, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does henrymeyerite form in?+

Henrymeyerite typically forms in alkaline ultramafic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is henrymeyerite used for?+

Henrymeyerite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find henrymeyerite on the map

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