Suzukiite is a rare barium vanadium silicate mineral typically found as small, translucent tabular crystals. It is primarily identified by its distinct yellow color and occurrence in specialized metamorphic manganese-rich environments.

Hardness

4-4.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale green

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Suzukiite

Hardness: 4-4.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale green
Transparency: Semitransparent

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Is this suzukiite?

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 suzukiite with a known reference. Suzukiite sits at Mohs 4-4.5, 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 green.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: light green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: flakes.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Fresnoite

Mohs 3-4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Suzukiite leaves pale green, Fresnoite leaves white.

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Often found alongside suzukiite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: BaVSi₂O₇
Mohs hardness: 4-4.5
Density: 4.0 g/cm³
Colors: Light green
Streak: Pale green
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Flakes
Cleavage: {010}, perfect; {100} and {001}, distinct
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In massive rhodonite-rhodochrosite ores of a bedded manganese deposit, formed in very weakly metamorphosed Triassic cherts

Where rockhounds find suzukiite

Classic worldwide localities

Mogurazawa mine, Gumma Prefecture, Japan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In massive rhodonite-rhodochrosite ores of a bedded manganese deposit, formed in very weakly metamorphosed Triassic cherts. If you start seeing quartz, barite, alabandite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: flakes. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify suzukiite?+

Mohs hardness is 4-4.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale green. Common colors include light green.

Where is suzukiite found?+

Notable localities include Mogurazawa mine, Gumma Prefecture, Japan.

Is suzukiite safe to handle?+

Suzukiite contains vanadium. Contains vanadium and barium, which should be handled with caution to avoid inhalation of dust or ingestion.

What rocks look like suzukiite?+

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

What minerals are found with suzukiite?+

Suzukiite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Barite, Alabandite, Nagashimalite, Rhodonite, Rhodochrosite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does suzukiite form in?+

Where it forms: In massive rhodonite-rhodochrosite ores of a bedded manganese deposit, formed in very weakly metamorphosed Triassic cherts. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is suzukiite used for?+

Suzukiite is used in collector.

Find suzukiite on the map

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