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 — that is 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
How do you identify oxykinoshitalite?+
Where is oxykinoshitalite found?+
How much is oxykinoshitalite worth?+
What rocks look like oxykinoshitalite?+
What minerals are found with oxykinoshitalite?+
What kind of rock does oxykinoshitalite form in?+
What is oxykinoshitalite used for?+
Find oxykinoshitalite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
