Batisite - Encyclopedia
Class : Silicates
Subclass : Inosilicates
Crystal System : Orthorhombic
Chemistry : Na2BaTi2(Si2O7)2
Rarity : Very rare
Batisite is an extremely rare silicate of barium and titanium from igneous rocks with a high silica deficit. It is found in nepheline syenite pegmatoids (Inagli, Aldan plateau, Siberia; Khibiny, Kola, Russia), and in leucite and nepheline basaltic lavas (Eifel, Germany). It owes its name to its chemical composition : barium, titanium, silicon. Batisite occurs in elongated crystals, the color is brown-black, exceptionally reddish or red. In syenitic pegmatoids, it notably accompanies microcline, arfvedsonite, eudialyte, aegyrine and nepheline.
Main photo : Batisite de Graulay, Eifel, Germany © Volker Heck
Batisite in the World
Twinning and special crystallizations
No known twin for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fake or treatment identified for this mineral species.
Hardness : 5.5 to 6
Density : 3.43
Fracture : Conchoidal
Trace : Pink to brown
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.727 to 1.789
Birefringence : 0.062
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : Insoluble
Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None