Heulandite-Ba is a rare barium-dominant member of the zeolite group that typically forms characteristic coffin-shaped tabular crystals. It is most commonly found in cavities within basaltic rocks where it crystallized from hydrothermal fluids. Collectors often distinguish it from other heulandite species through chemical analysis due to its visual similarity to calcium-dominant varieties.
Is this heulandite-ba?
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 heulandite-ba with a known reference. Heulandite-Ba sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, pearly on {010} cleavage surfaces.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorelss, yellowish white, pale biege.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: blocky.
Often confused with
Heulandite-Ba vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside heulandite-ba
Minerals reported to co-occur with heulandite-ba. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ba,Ca,K)₅(Si₂₇Al₉)O₇₂·22H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.35 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, pearly on {010} cleavage surfaces
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Blocky
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late stage mineral in hydrothermal quartz-calcite veins
Where rockhounds find heulandite-ba
Classic worldwide localities
- Northern Ravnås prospect, southern Vinoren, 14 km NNW of Kongsberg town, Kongsberg ore district, Flesberg community, Buskerud county, Norway (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late stage mineral in hydrothermal quartz-calcite veins. If you start seeing acanthite, barite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: blocky. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify heulandite-ba?+
Where is heulandite-ba found?+
What rocks look like heulandite-ba?+
What minerals are found with heulandite-ba?+
What kind of rock does heulandite-ba form in?+
What is heulandite-ba used for?+
Find heulandite-ba on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
