Lemmleinite-Ba is a rare silicate mineral belonging to the labuntsovite group, typically occurring as small, honey-yellow to brownish prismatic crystals. It is primarily found in complex alkaline pegmatites where it forms as a late-stage crystallization product. Collectors prize it for its association with rare mineral suites found in sites like the Kola Peninsula and Mont Saint-Hilaire.

Hardness

5.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareLabuntsovite Group family

Lemmleinite-Ba

Hardness: 5.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this lemmleinite-ba?

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 lemmleinite-ba with a known reference. Lemmleinite-Ba sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bright orange, reddish orange, light coffee brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, prismatic.

Often confused with

Lemmleinite-Ba vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Labuntsovite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Lemmleinite-Ba and greasy on Labuntsovite.

Often found alongside lemmleinite-ba

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₄K₄BaxTi₈(Si₄O₁₂)₄(O,OH)₈·8H₂O
Mohs hardness: 5.5
Density: 3.03 g/cm³
Colors: Bright orange Reddish orangeLight coffee brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Aggregates, prismatic
Cleavage: Imperfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In alkaline pegmatites in an alkaline massif

Where rockhounds find lemmleinite-ba

Classic worldwide localities

Kirovskii mine, Mt. Kukisvumchorr (type locality), Khibiny alkaline massif and at Mt. Karnasurt and Mt. Maly Punkaruaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In alkaline pegmatites in an alkaline massif. If you start seeing calcite, strontianite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify lemmleinite-ba?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include bright orange, reddish orange, light coffee brown.

Where is lemmleinite-ba found?+

Notable localities include Kirovskii mine, Mt. Kukisvumchorr (type locality), Khibiny alkaline massif and at Mt. Karnasurt and Mt. Maly Punkaruaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like lemmleinite-ba?+

Lemmleinite-Ba is most often confused with Labuntsovite, Nenadkevichite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with lemmleinite-ba?+

Lemmleinite-Ba commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Strontianite, Aegirine, Microcline, Nepheline, Kuzmenkoite-Mn. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lemmleinite-ba form in?+

Where it forms: In alkaline pegmatites in an alkaline massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lemmleinite-ba used for?+

Lemmleinite-Ba is used in collector.

Find lemmleinite-ba on the map

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