Traskite is a rare barium iron titanium silicate mineral discovered in the sanbornite deposits of California. It typically appears as attractive, dark brown to reddish-brown tabular or platy crystals often associated with other rare barium minerals. Collectors prize it as a representative of complex barium-rich mineral assemblages found in high-grade metamorphic environments.
Is this traskite?
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 traskite with a known reference. Traskite sits at Mohs ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale reddish brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, euhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Traskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Traskite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. 3-4); streak differs, so Traskite leaves pale reddish brown, Fresnoite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Traskite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. ~3.5); streak differs, so Traskite leaves pale reddish brown, Walstromite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Traskite and subvitreous, pearly on cleavages on Walstromite.
Often found alongside traskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with traskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₂₁Ca(Fe²⁺,Mn,Ti)₄(Ti,Fe,Mg)₁₂(Si₁₂O₃₆)(Si₂O₇)₆(O,OH)₃₀Cl₆·14H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 3.71 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale reddish brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, euhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As local concentrations in thin layers in metamorphic sanbornite-quartz rock
Where rockhounds find traskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Rush Creek and Big Creek areas, Fresno Co., California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As local concentrations in thin layers in metamorphic sanbornite-quartz rock. If you start seeing sanbornite, quartz, celsian in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, euhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find traskite on the map
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