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

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Submetallic

Streak

Brown

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrarenull family

Scottyite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Submetallic
Streak: Brown
Transparency: Opaque

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 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Scottyite leaves a brown streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Scottyite typically shows a submetallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
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 — Scottyite leaves brown, Delindeite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Scottyite and vitreous on Delindeite.

Compare →

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: BaCuSi₂O₆
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 4.15 g/cm³
Colors: Dark Brown Black
Streak: Brown
Luster: Submetallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Iron Meteorites
Typical price: very high (research/museum grade only)

Where rockhounds find scottyite

Classic worldwide localities

Wedderburn meteorite
Victoria, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in iron meteorites country — that is the host setting where scottyite typically forms. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, schreibersite 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 scottyite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. It typically shows a submetallic luster. The streak is brown. Common colors include dark brown, black.

Where is scottyite found?+

Notable localities include Wedderburn meteorite; Victoria, Australia.

How much is scottyite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of very high (research/museum grade only). Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

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 kamacite, taenite, schreibersite, tridymite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does scottyite form in?+

Scottyite typically forms in iron meteorites. 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.