Kampfite is an extremely rare barium silicate mineral primarily known from the metamorphic sanbornite deposits in California. It typically occurs as small, transparent, platy or tabular crystals embedded in quartz-rich matrices.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrarenull family

Kampfite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this kampfite?

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 kampfite with a known reference. Kampfite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kampfite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Kampfite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular, massive.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside kampfite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Ba,K)₂(Si,Al,Fe,Mg)₄(O,OH,CO₃,Cl,H₂O)₁₀
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.81 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals, Tabular, Massive
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphosed Sanbornite-bearing Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find kampfite

Classic worldwide localities

Rush Creek, California, USA
Big Creek, California, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed sanbornite-bearing rocks country — that is the host setting where kampfite typically forms. If you start seeing sanbornite, walstromite, fresnoite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify kampfite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, pale yellow.

Where is kampfite found?+

Notable localities include Rush Creek, California, USA; Big Creek, California, USA.

How much is kampfite 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 kampfite?+

Kampfite is most often confused with Walstromite, Fresnoite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with kampfite?+

Kampfite commonly co-occurs with Sanbornite, Walstromite, Fresnoite, Quartz, Celsian. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does kampfite form in?+

Kampfite typically forms in metamorphosed sanbornite-bearing rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is kampfite used for?+

Kampfite is used in collector.

Find kampfite on the map

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