Barioferrite is a rare barium iron oxide belonging to the magnetoplumbite group. It is primarily found in pyrometamorphic geological environments where high-temperature combustion of organic-rich sediments has altered the host rock.
Is this barioferrite?
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 barioferrite with a known reference. Barioferrite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Barioferrite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Barioferrite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Barioferrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Barioferrite leaves brown, Magnetoplumbite leaves dark brown; luster reads submetallic on Barioferrite and metallic on Magnetoplumbite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Barioferrite leaves brown, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Barioferrite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside barioferrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with barioferrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaFe₁₂O₁₉
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 5.35 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pyrometamorphic Rocks
Where rockhounds find barioferrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hatrurim Formation, Israel
- Bellerberg Volcano, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in pyrometamorphic rocks country, the host setting where barioferrite typically forms. If you start seeing gehlenite, harnesite, brownmillerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify barioferrite?+
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What rocks look like barioferrite?+
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Find barioferrite on the map
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