Strontianite is a strontium carbonate mineral that often forms beautiful, radiating clusters of acicular or bladed crystals. It is frequently found in hydrothermal veins and sedimentary deposits, and it is a primary source for strontium compounds used in pyrotechnics and glass manufacturing.
Is this strontianite?
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 strontianite with a known reference. Strontianite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Strontianite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Strontianite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, pale yellow, pale green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous, columnar, massive.
Often confused with
Strontianite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside strontianite
Minerals reported to co-occur with strontianite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrCO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.7-3.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous, Columnar, Massive
- Cleavage
- Good in One Direction
- Fluorescence
- White or Yellow Under SW and LW UV
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Strontium
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Limestone Cavities
- Typical price
- $10-100 depending on specimen quality and size
Where rockhounds find strontianite
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Strontian, Scotland
- Ahlen, Germany
- San Bernardino County, California, USA
- Oromocto, Canada
- Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, limestone cavities country, the host setting where strontianite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, celestine, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous, columnar, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Indiana, Illinois. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify strontianite?+
Where is strontianite found?+
Can I find strontianite in the United States?+
How much is strontianite worth?+
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Find strontianite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
