Ansermetite is a very rare manganese vanadate mineral that occurs as small, delicate prismatic crystals. It is primarily identified from the Molinello mine in Italy, often found as an oxidation product associated with other manganese minerals.
Is this ansermetite?
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 ansermetite with a known reference. Ansermetite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: orange.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: carmine red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular.
Often confused with
Ansermetite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ansermetite leaves orange, Fernandinite leaves dark green; luster reads adamantine on Ansermetite and submetallic on Fernandinite.
How to tell apart: Ansermetite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. ~1); streak differs, so Ansermetite leaves orange, Hewettite leaves brownish red; luster reads adamantine on Ansermetite and silky to adamantine on Hewettite.
Often found alongside ansermetite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ansermetite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺V₂O₆·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.57 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Orange
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, tabular
- Cleavage
- Excellent on {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of synsedimentary to diagenetic origin, in thin fractures, in a metamorphosed exhalative Fe-Mn deposit in carbonate rocks
Where rockhounds find ansermetite
Classic worldwide localities
- Packrat mine, near Gateway, Mesa County and the Burro mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
- Fianel mine, near Ausserferrera, Ferrara Valley, Canton Graubünden, Switzerland (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of synsedimentary to diagenetic origin, in thin fractures, in a metamorphosed exhalative Fe-Mn deposit in carbonate rocks. If you start seeing fianelite, fe oxyhydroxides, silica in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ansermetite on the map
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