Rogermitchellite is a rare sodium strontium barium hydroxide, typically colorless to gray. It occurs in vugs in late-stage igneous breccia in an alkaline igneous complex. It was first described from Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada.
Is this rogermitchellite?
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 rogermitchellite with a known reference. Rogermitchellite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Rogermitchellite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rogermitchellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rogermitchellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₆Sr₁₂Ba₂Zr₁₃Si₃₉B₆O₁₂₃(OH)₁₄·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.34 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In vugs in late-stage igneous breccia in an alkaline igneous complex
Where rockhounds find rogermitchellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In vugs in late-stage igneous breccia in an alkaline igneous complex. If you start seeing aegirine, annite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rogermitchellite?+
Where is rogermitchellite found?+
What rocks look like rogermitchellite?+
What minerals are found with rogermitchellite?+
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Find rogermitchellite on the map
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