Arsenowagnerite is a very rare mineral belonging to the wagnerite group, characterized by the substitution of arsenic for phosphorus. It is primarily known from the historic Långban mining district in Sweden, where it occurs within metamorphic manganese-rich ores. Due to its extreme rarity and complex paragenesis, it is considered a specialized target for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this arsenowagnerite?
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 arsenowagnerite with a known reference. Arsenowagnerite sits at Mohs ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lemon-yellow, sometimes greenish yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Arsenowagnerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside arsenowagnerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with arsenowagnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₂AsO₄F
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 3.698 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to subhedral grains
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {001} (by analogy with wagnerite and sarkinite)
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A sublimate around an active fumarole
Where rockhounds find arsenowagnerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A sublimate around an active fumarole. If you start seeing anhydrite, tilasite, johillerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find arsenowagnerite on the map
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