Meierite is a rare barium aluminum hydroxide that forms white equant grains. It occurs in a hydrothermal Pb-Zn deposit in lenses of pyroxene-quartz skarn. Associated minerals include gillespite, pellyite and edingtonite. It was first described from Found at the Gun Claim, 5 km southeast of the Itsi Lakes, Yukon, Canada.
Is this meierite?
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 meierite with a known reference. Meierite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Meierite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Meierite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: equant grains.
Often confused with
Meierite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside meierite
Minerals reported to co-occur with meierite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₄₄Si₆₆Al₃₀O₁₉₂Cl₂₅(OH)₃₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 3.50 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Equant Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Gneiss
Where rockhounds find meierite
Classic worldwide localities
- Found at the Gun Claim, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic gneiss country, the host setting where meierite typically forms. If you start seeing sillimanite, quartz, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify meierite?+
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What rocks look like meierite?+
What minerals are found with meierite?+
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Find meierite on the map
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