Oxykinoshitalite is an extremely rare barium-rich mica that occurs primarily in skarn environments. It is visually similar to other dark micas and typically presents as small, platy crystals in metamorphic rocks.
Is this oxykinoshitalite?
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 oxykinoshitalite with a known reference. Oxykinoshitalite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Oxykinoshitalite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Oxykinoshitalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Oxykinoshitalite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Oxykinoshitalite and pearly on Phlogopite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Oxykinoshitalite and pearly on Biotite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Oxykinoshitalite and pearly on Kinoshitalite.
Often found alongside oxykinoshitalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with oxykinoshitalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ba,K)(Mg,Mn²⁺,Fe²⁺)₃(Si₂Al₂)O₁₀(OH,F)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Limestone
- Typical price
- $50-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find oxykinoshitalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kizaki Lake, Japan
- Mansjö Mountain, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed limestone country, the host setting where oxykinoshitalite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, phlogopite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find oxykinoshitalite on the map
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