Pellyite is a rare barium iron calcium silicate mineral typically found in metamorphic or metasomatic environments rich in barium. It usually occurs as small, pale yellow to brown granular masses and is highly prized by mineral collectors of rare species from the Yukon territories.
Is this pellyite?
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 pellyite with a known reference. Pellyite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pellyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pellyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Pellyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pellyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pellyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₂Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)₂Si₆O₁₇
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.24 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Barium-rich Silicate Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and association
Where rockhounds find pellyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Fish River, Yukon, Canada
- Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in barium-rich silicate rocks country — that is the host setting where pellyite typically forms. If you start seeing fresnoite, sanbornite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pellyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
