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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 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
- In a hydrothermal Pb-Zn deposit in lenses of pyroxene-quartz skarn
Where rockhounds find meierite
Classic worldwide localities
- Found at the Gun Claim, 5 km southeast of the Itsi Lakes, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a hydrothermal Pb-Zn deposit in lenses of pyroxene-quartz skarn. If you start seeing gillespite, pellyite, edingtonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant grains. 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?+
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Find meierite on the map
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