Berzeliite is a rare arsenate mineral belonging to the garnet group, most famous for its occurrences in the Långban mines of Sweden. Collectors prize it for its distinct dodecahedral crystal habit and rich honey-yellow to orange-brown coloration in manganese-rich metamorphic environments.

Hardness

4.5-5

Mohs

Luster

Resinous

Streak

Nearly white to yellow-orange

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Berzeliite

Hardness: 4.5-5
Luster: Resinous
Streak: Nearly white to yellow-orange
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this berzeliite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch berzeliite with a known reference. Berzeliite sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: nearly white to yellow-orange.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: orange, sulfur yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

Berzeliite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Manganberzeliite

Mohs 4.5-5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Berzeliite leaves nearly white to yellow-orange, Manganberzeliite leaves white to yellow-orange.

Compare →

Often found alongside berzeliite

Minerals reported to co-occur with berzeliite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (NaCa₂)Mg₂(AsO₄)₃
Mohs hardness: 4.5-5
Density: 4.08 g/cm³
Colors: OrangeSulfur yellow
Streak: Nearly white to yellow-orange
Luster: Resinous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral crystals, massive, granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebodies

Where rockhounds find berzeliite

Classic worldwide localities

Found at Långban and Nordmark, Värmland, and in the Sjö mine, near Grythyttan, Örebro, Sweden

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebodies. If you start seeing hausmannite, rhodonite, tephroite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify berzeliite?+

Mohs hardness is 4.5-5. Luster: resinous. The streak is nearly white to yellow-orange. Common colors include orange, sulfur yellow.

Where is berzeliite found?+

Notable localities include Found at Långban and Nordmark, Värmland, and in the Sjö mine, near Grythyttan, Örebro, Sweden.

Is berzeliite safe to handle?+

Berzeliite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, which is toxic. Handle with caution, wash hands after touching, and avoid creating dust when breaking specimens.

What rocks look like berzeliite?+

Berzeliite is most often confused with Manganberzeliite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with berzeliite?+

Berzeliite commonly co-occurs with Hausmannite, Rhodonite, Tephroite, Hedyphane, Caryinite, Manganoan biotite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does berzeliite form in?+

Where it forms: In metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebodies. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is berzeliite used for?+

Berzeliite is used in collector.

Find berzeliite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.