Noonkanbahite is a rare barium-titanium silicate mineral found primarily in lamproite volcanic rocks. It typically occurs as small yellowish crystals and is distinguished from its structural relative batisite by its distinct chemical composition and barium dominance.
Is this noonkanbahite?
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 noonkanbahite with a known reference. Noonkanbahite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Noonkanbahite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Noonkanbahite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, grains.
Often confused with
Noonkanbahite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside noonkanbahite
Minerals reported to co-occur with noonkanbahite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaNa₂Ti₂Si₄O₁₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 3.36 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Grains
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Lamproites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find noonkanbahite
Classic worldwide localities
- Noonkanbah, Western Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in lamproites country — that is the host setting where noonkanbahite typically forms. If you start seeing phlogopite, diopside, leucite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find noonkanbahite on the map
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