Scottyite is an extremely rare barium copper silicate mineral primarily known from the Wedderburn meteorite. It typically occurs as small platy crystals within the metallic matrix of iron meteorites, formed under specific meteoritic conditions.

Hardness

4-5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale blue

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Scottyite

Hardness: 4-5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale blue
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this scottyite?

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 scottyite with a known reference. Scottyite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale blue.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Delindeite

Mohs 3-4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Scottyite leaves pale blue, Delindeite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Scottyite and resinous, pearly on Delindeite.

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Often found alongside scottyite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: BaCu₂Si₂O₇
Mohs hardness: 4-5
Density: 4.63 g/cm³
Colors: Dark blue
Streak: Pale blue
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Platy crystals
Cleavage: Perfect on {100} and {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Likely of hydrothermal origin in a metamorphosed manganese deposit

Where rockhounds find scottyite

Classic worldwide localities

Central-eastern ore body, Wessels mine, Kalahari Manganese Fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Reported from Eifel, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Likely of hydrothermal origin in a metamorphosed manganese deposit. If you start seeing wesselsite, pectolite, richterite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify scottyite?+

Mohs hardness is 4-5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale blue. Common colors include dark blue.

Where is scottyite found?+

Notable localities include Central-eastern ore body, Wessels mine, Kalahari Manganese Fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa; Reported from Eifel, Germany.

Is scottyite safe to handle?+

Scottyite contains copper. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like scottyite?+

Scottyite is most often confused with Delindeite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with scottyite?+

Scottyite commonly co-occurs with Wesselsite, Pectolite, Richterite, Sugilite, Lavinskyite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does scottyite form in?+

Where it forms: Likely of hydrothermal origin in a metamorphosed manganese deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is scottyite used for?+

Scottyite is used in collector.

Find scottyite on the map

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