Barwoodite is a rare manganese niobium silicate, typically brownish red. It occurs in miarolitic cavities in pegmatite in a nepheline syenite pluton. It was first described from Big Rock quarry, Granite Mountain, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA.
Is this barwoodite?
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 barwoodite with a known reference. Barwoodite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Barwoodite leaves a light orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Barwoodite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Barwoodite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Barwoodite leaves light orange, Arfvedsonite leaves gray to bluish-gray.
How to tell apart: Barwoodite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3); streak differs, so Barwoodite leaves light orange, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads vitreous on Barwoodite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
Often found alongside barwoodite
Minerals reported to co-occur with barwoodite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₆(Nb⁵⁺,☐)₂(SiO₄)₂(O,OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.168 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {00*1}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Where rockhounds find barwoodite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Rock quarry, Arkansas, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where barwoodite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify barwoodite?+
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Find barwoodite on the map
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