Devitoite is a rare barium iron phosphate, typically brown. It is an alteration product of gillepsite along fractures and parting planes in a sanbornite-bearing rock. It was first described from the Esquire #8 and #7 claims along Big Creek, eastern Fresno County, California, USA.
Is this devitoite?
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 devitoite with a known reference. Devitoite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Devitoite leaves a cream to pale brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Devitoite typically shows a silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy or micaceous crystals.
Often found alongside devitoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with devitoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₆Fe²⁺₇Fe³⁺₂(Si₄O₁₂)₂(PO₄)₂(CO₃)O₂(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.044 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Cream to Pale Brown
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Micaceous Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}, Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Sanbornite-bearing Rocks
Where rockhounds find devitoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Bunch claim, Fresno County, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic sanbornite-bearing rocks country, the host setting where devitoite typically forms. If you start seeing sanbornite, quartz, witherite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or micaceous crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify devitoite?+
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What minerals are found with devitoite?+
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Find devitoite on the map
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