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?
4-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 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pinkish orange, brownish yellow, brown, straw-yellow in aggregates.
- 4Look 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
- KNaBaTi₂(Si₄O₁₂)O₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.39 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals, grains
- Cleavage
- Poor on {010} and {100}; weak parting on {011}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Lines the walls of cavities in alkaline syenite, also a rock-forming mineral in syenite
Where rockhounds find noonkanbahite
Classic worldwide localities
- Murun, Siberia, Russia, and near the Noonkanbah sheep station, Wolgidee Hills, West Kimberley District, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Lines the walls of cavities in alkaline syenite, also a rock-forming mineral in syenite. If you start seeing potassic feldspar, kalsilite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify noonkanbahite?+
Where is noonkanbahite found?+
What rocks look like noonkanbahite?+
What minerals are found with noonkanbahite?+
What kind of rock does noonkanbahite form in?+
What is noonkanbahite used for?+
Find noonkanbahite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
