Lindsleyite is a rare strontium-bearing member of the crichtonite group found as inclusions in diamonds or associated with kimberlitic heavy mineral concentrates. It is typically identified by its dark, submetallic appearance and its specific geochemical signature found in mantle-derived xenoliths.
Is this lindsleyite?
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 lindsleyite with a known reference. Lindsleyite sits at Mohs 7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: aggregates, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Lindsleyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Lindsleyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7.5 vs. 4.5-5); streak differs, so Lindsleyite leaves gray, Crichtonite leaves dark gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lindsleyite leaves gray, Loveringite leaves iron-gray.
Often found alongside lindsleyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lindsleyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ba,Sr)(Zr,Ca)(Fe,Mg)₂(Ti,Cr,Fe)₁₈O₃₈
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5
- Density
- 4.63 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A mantle-derived phase in veinlets in metasomatized kimberlite (South Africa)
Where rockhounds find lindsleyite
Classic worldwide localities
- De Beers and Bultfontein diamond mines, Kimberley, Cape Province, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A mantle-derived phase in veinlets in metasomatized kimberlite (South Africa). If you start seeing mathiasite, phlogopite, perovskite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lindsleyite?+
Where is lindsleyite found?+
What rocks look like lindsleyite?+
What minerals are found with lindsleyite?+
What kind of rock does lindsleyite form in?+
What is lindsleyite used for?+
Find lindsleyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
