Barikaite is a rare silver lead antimony sulfosalt that forms grayish black elongated grains. Associated minerals include guettardite, quartz and barite. It was first described from Barika Au-Ag deposit, Azarbaijan Province, Western Iran.
Is this barikaite?
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 barikaite with a known reference. Barikaite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Barikaite leaves a dark gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Barikaite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: elongated grains.
Often confused with
Barikaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Barikaite leaves dark gray, Allactite leaves light brown; luster reads metallic on Barikaite and vitreous on Allactite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Barikaite leaves dark gray, Holdenite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Barikaite and vitreous on Holdenite.
Often found alongside barikaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with barikaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₃Pb₁₀(Sb₈As₁₁)Σ₁₉S₄₀
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 5.34 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Elongated Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find barikaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Barika Au-Ag deposit, Azarbaijan Province, Western Iran
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country, the host setting where barikaite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, barite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a elongated grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify barikaite?+
Where is barikaite found?+
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Find barikaite on the map
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