Aminoffite is a very rare beryllium silicate mineral primarily known from the famous mining district of Långban, Sweden. It typically occurs as small, clear, tabular tetragonal crystals embedded within calcite or associated with other rare silicates in metamorphosed manganese-iron ore environments.
Is this aminoffite?
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 aminoffite with a known reference. Aminoffite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Aminoffite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Aminoffite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Aminoffite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside aminoffite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aminoffite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Be₃Ca₃(SiO₄)₃(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Iron-manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find aminoffite
Classic worldwide localities
- Langban, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed iron-manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where aminoffite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, phlogopite, tremolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find aminoffite on the map
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