Krauskopfite is an extremely rare barium silicate mineral primarily found in the metamorphosed rocks of Fresno County, California. It typically forms colorless to white prismatic crystals that can appear in radial aggregates, often associated with other rare barium minerals like sanbornite.
Is this krauskopfite?
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 krauskopfite with a known reference. Krauskopfite 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. Krauskopfite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Krauskopfite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Krauskopfite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside krauskopfite
Minerals reported to co-occur with krauskopfite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaSi₂O₄(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.33 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Sanbornite-bearing Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find krauskopfite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Creek, Fresno County, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed sanbornite-bearing rocks country — that is the host setting where krauskopfite typically forms. If you start seeing sanbornite, walstromite, fresnoite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify krauskopfite?+
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Find krauskopfite on the map
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