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 — that is 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?+
What rocks look like strontianite?+
What minerals are found with strontianite?+
What kind of rock does strontianite form in?+
What is strontianite used for?+
Find strontianite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
