Jagowerite is an exceptionally rare barium aluminum phosphate mineral typically found as small, translucent yellow to yellow-green crystals. It is primarily identified from unique phosphate-bearing black shale formations, making it a highly prized addition to advanced micromount or rare-species mineral collections.
Is this jagowerite?
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 jagowerite with a known reference. Jagowerite sits at Mohs 4.5, 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Jagowerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside jagowerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jagowerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.01 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, massive, granular
- Cleavage
- Good on {100} and {011}; fair on {011}
- Fluorescence
- Greenish white under LW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In quartz veins filling tension fractures in carbonaceous argillite
Where rockhounds find jagowerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yukon Territory, Canada
- Guanajuato, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In quartz veins filling tension fractures in carbonaceous argillite. If you start seeing pyrite, hinsdalite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jagowerite on the map
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