Pabstite is a rare barium tin silicate belonging to the benitoite group. It is primarily found in small, white to colorless tabular crystals and is distinguished by its intense white fluorescence under shortwave ultraviolet light.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareBenitoite Group family

Pabstite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this pabstite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch pabstite with a known reference. Pabstite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pabstite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Pabstite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Pabstite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside pabstite

Minerals reported to co-occur with pabstite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: BaSnSi₃O₉
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 4.05 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: None
Fluorescence: Bright White Under SW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphic Rocks, Specifically Calc-silicate Hornfels
Typical price: $100-500 per specimen

Where rockhounds find pabstite

Classic worldwide localities

Kalkar Quarry, Santa Cruz County, California, USA
Benitoite Gem Mine, San Benito County, California, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphic rocks, specifically calc-silicate hornfels country — that is the host setting where pabstite typically forms. If you start seeing benitoite, neptunite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify pabstite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, gray.

Where is pabstite found?+

Notable localities include Kalkar Quarry, Santa Cruz County, California, USA; Benitoite Gem Mine, San Benito County, California, USA.

How much is pabstite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like pabstite?+

Pabstite is most often confused with Benitoite, Bazirite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with pabstite?+

Pabstite commonly co-occurs with Benitoite, Neptunite, Quartz, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does pabstite form in?+

Pabstite typically forms in metamorphic rocks, specifically calc-silicate hornfels. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is pabstite used for?+

Pabstite is used in collector.

Find pabstite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.