Bridgmanite is the most abundant mineral in Earth, making up the majority of the lower mantle, but it is extremely rare at the surface. It is primarily found as microscopic inclusions within shock-metamorphosed meteorites that originated from the deep mantle of terrestrial bodies. It is a high-pressure polymorph of silicate perovskite that requires extreme conditions to exist.

Hardness

6-6.5

Mohs

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrarePerovskite Group family

Bridgmanite

Hardness: 6-6.5
Transparency: Opaque

Is this bridgmanite?

2-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 bridgmanite with a known reference. Bridgmanite sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside bridgmanite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: MgSiO₃
Mohs hardness: 6-6.5
Density: 4.1 g/cm³
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Massive, anhedral grains
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Scientific study, Collector
Host rock: The dominant mineral of the silicate lower mantle of the Earth

Where rockhounds find bridgmanite

Classic worldwide localities

Tenham meteorite
Suizhou meteorite

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: The dominant mineral of the silicate lower mantle of the Earth. If you start seeing akimotoite, ringwoodite, majorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bridgmanite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-6.5.

Where is bridgmanite found?+

Notable localities include Tenham meteorite; Suizhou meteorite.

What rocks look like bridgmanite?+

Bridgmanite is most often confused with Enstatite, Akimotoite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with bridgmanite?+

Bridgmanite commonly co-occurs with Akimotoite, Ringwoodite, Majorite, Periclase, Wadsleyite, Troilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bridgmanite form in?+

Where it forms: The dominant mineral of the silicate lower mantle of the Earth. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bridgmanite used for?+

Bridgmanite is used in scientific study, collector.

Find bridgmanite on the map

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