Benitoite

Overview

BaTiSi3O9
Fluorescence: blue under SW	Not Radioactive	Magnetic: no

Description

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	3.6 g/cc
Hardness - Mohs	Benitoite - 6-6.5  10 Diamond 9 Carborundum 8 Topaz 7 Quartz 6 Orthoclase 5 Apatite 4 Fluorite 3 Calcite 2 Gypsum 1 Talc
Color	blue, purple, pink, white, colorless
Streak	white

Crystal Properties

Property	Value
Crystal structure	hexagonal - ditrigonal dipyramidal
Cleavage	poor
Tenacity	-
Fracture	conchoidal
Luster	vitreous, glassy

Similar Minerals

Dana Number : 59.01.01.02

Class: 59

Group: 59.01

Subgroup: 59.01.01 - benitoite

Dana Number	Mineral Name	Formula
59.01.01.01	bazirite	BaZrSi3O9
59.01.01.02	benitoite	BaTiSi3O9
59.01.01.03	pabstite	Ba(Sn,Ti)Si3O9
59.01.01.04	wadeite	K2ZrSi3O9

Nickel-Strunz Number : 09.CA.05

Group : 09

Subgroup : CA

Nickel-Strunz Number	Mineral Name	Formula
09.CA.05	bazirite	BaZrSi3O9
09.CA.05	benitoite	BaTiSi3O9
09.CA.05	pabstite	Ba(Sn,Ti)Si3O9

Specimens

Localities

Uses