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, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jagowerite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jagowerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-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
- Density
- 3.36 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Good in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate Nodules in Black Shales
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find jagowerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yukon Territory, Canada
- Guanajuato, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate nodules in black shales country, the host setting where jagowerite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, gorceixite, crandallite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jagowerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
