Traskite is a rare barium iron titanium silicate mineral discovered in the sanbornite deposits of California. It typically appears as attractive, dark brown to reddish-brown tabular or platy crystals often associated with other rare barium minerals. Collectors prize it as a representative of complex barium-rich mineral assemblages found in high-grade metamorphic environments.
Is this traskite?
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 traskite with a known reference. Traskite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Traskite leaves a pale reddish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Traskite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular, massive.
Often confused with
Traskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Traskite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Traskite leaves pale reddish brown, Fresnoite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Traskite leaves pale reddish brown, Walstromite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Traskite and subvitreous to pearly on Walstromite.
Often found alongside traskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with traskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₂₁Ca(Fe²⁺,Mn,Ti)₄(Ti,Fe,Mg)₁₂(Si₁₂O₃₆)(Si₂O₇)₆(O,OH)₃₀Cl₆·14H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 3.71 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Reddish Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Barium-rich Rocks in Contact Zones
Where rockhounds find traskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Creek, Fresno County, California, USA
- Rush Creek, Fresno County, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed barium-rich rocks in contact zones country, the host setting where traskite typically forms. If you start seeing fresnoite, walstromite, sanbornite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find traskite on the map
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